China reveals plans to build a ‘nuclear plant’ on the moon as a shared power base with Russia
In a landmark announcement, China has revealed plans to build a nuclear power plant on the moon in collaboration with Russia, targeting completion by 2035.
The project, unveiled on April 23, 2025, during a conference in Shanghai, aims to power the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS), a joint venture between the two nations.
This ambitious initiative underscores China’s goal to become a dominant space power and marks a significant step toward permanent human presence on the moon.
China’s Ambitious Space Program
China’s space program has made remarkable strides in recent decades.
The nation became the third to launch a crewed mission with Shenzhou 5 in 2003 and landed the Chang’e-3 rover on the moon in 2013.
Now, China aims to land astronauts on the lunar surface by 2030, a milestone that would be a first for the country.
The Chang’e-8 mission, scheduled for 2028, will lay the groundwork for a permanent, manned lunar base, with the nuclear power plant as a critical component.
Pei Zhaoyu, chief engineer of the Chang’e-8 mission, presented the plan, highlighting its role in sustaining long-term lunar operations.
Why Nuclear Power?
The moon’s harsh environment poses unique challenges for energy production.
The lunar night, lasting approximately 14 Earth days, renders solar panels insufficient for continuous power.
Nuclear energy offers a reliable, long-term solution for a permanent base.
Wu Weiren, chief designer of China’s lunar exploration program, emphasized the importance of a stable power supply, noting Russia’s global lead in nuclear power technology for space applications.
Russia’s work on nuclear-powered space tugs further strengthens its role as a key partner.
Technical Challenges and Innovations
Constructing a nuclear reactor on the moon is a formidable task. The process must be fully automated, as initial deployment will occur without human presence.
Russia’s Roscosmos has reported that the technology for this automation is nearly ready, with plans to deliver and assemble the reactor between 2033 and 2035.
The reactor must be compact, durable, and capable of withstanding extreme lunar conditions, including temperature swings and radiation.
Cooling the reactor in the moon’s vacuum is another hurdle, but solutions are being developed.
Additionally, the project explores using lunar resources, such as metals and water, for construction and potentially as fuel.
This approach could reduce reliance on Earth-based supplies, lowering costs but adding complexity.
Alternative energy sources, including large-scale solar arrays and infrastructure for heating and electricity distribution, are also under consideration to complement the nuclear plant.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Project Name | International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) |
| Collaborators | China, Russia, 17 other countries/organizations |
| Target Completion | Nuclear plant by 2035, ILRS basic model by 2035 |
| Key Mission | Chang’e-8 (2028) to lay groundwork for lunar base |
| Power Sources | Nuclear reactor, solar arrays, pipelines/cables for heat and electricity |
| Automation | Required for reactor deployment, technology nearly ready |
| Lunar Resources | Potential use of metals, water for construction and fuel |
International Collaboration and the “555 Project”
The ILRS is designed as an open platform for global cooperation.
Currently, 17 countries and international organizations are involved, and China has launched the “555 Project” to expand participation.
This initiative aims to engage 50 countries, 500 scientific institutions, and 5,000 researchers in lunar research, fostering a collaborative approach to exploration.
The Shanghai conference, attended by representatives from these entities, highlighted the project’s international scope.
Global Competition in Lunar Exploration
The China-Russia plan unfolds amid intense global competition.
The United States, through NASA’s Artemis program, aims to land astronauts on the moon by 2026, a timeline delayed from December 2025.
NASA is also exploring lunar nuclear power, with U.K. scientists developing compact reactors, indicating a broader race for energy solutions.
Other nations, such as India and Japan, are advancing their lunar programs, adding to the competitive landscape.
The moon’s natural resources, including metal oxides, silicon, titanium, and water, are a key driver of this competition.
These materials could support construction, fuel production, and even future space missions, making lunar bases strategically valuable.
Geopolitical Implications
The China-Russia partnership is shaped by geopolitical dynamics.
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Western sanctions have isolated Roscosmos, making China a vital ally.
This collaboration could strengthen their strategic alliance and provide a counterbalance to U.S.-led space initiatives.
NASA’s exclusion from the ILRS, due to frosty relations with both China and Russia, underscores this divide.
Roscosmos’s planned withdrawal from the International Space Station by 2025 further highlights shifting alliances.
A New Frontier for Humanity
China’s plan to establish a nuclear-powered lunar base by 2035 is a bold step toward permanent human presence on the moon.
The project builds on China’s space achievements, including the Chang’e-4 landing on the moon’s far side in 2019 and the Chang’e-5 sample return mission in 2020.
Russia, despite setbacks like the Luna-25 crash in 2023, brings decades of expertise in space nuclear technology.
Together, they aim to redefine space exploration, opening new possibilities for scientific discovery and resource utilization.
The announcement of a lunar nuclear power plant by China and Russia marks a pivotal moment in space exploration.
As the ILRS takes shape, it promises to be a hub for international research while intensifying the global race for lunar dominance.
With technical challenges, geopolitical tensions, and vast opportunities ahead, the moon is once again a frontier for human ambition and innovation.
