National Space Agencies Target Lunar Power Generation
The United States, Russia and China are racing to build nuclear reactors on the moon, according to reports citing scientific warnings about the possible risk of a radioactive mishap during such operations. The competition highlights a shift toward utilizing nuclear power for sustained lunar presence rather than relying solely on solar energy.
In January, NASA announced plans to develop a lunar nuclear reactor by the end of 2030. The agency’s proposed system, designated "Lunar Reactor 1," is designed to produce 20 kilowatts of electricity. The reactor would weigh under 6,000kg (13,200 lbs) and fit inside a rocket compartment measuring 3.7 meters by 5.5 meters. NASA states the unit would run for five years without maintenance.
Simultaneously, Russia is working with China to deploy its own reactor by 2036. The Russian-designed reactor, named Selena, is expected to produce 10 kilowatts of power. It will weigh between 1,100kg and 1,300kg (2,400 to 2,800 lbs) and operate for a decade without maintenance. This joint effort aims to advance space exploration and provide power for a Chinese-led moon base.
Infrastructure for Lunar Resource Extraction
The development of these reactors is intended to support mining operations for frozen water trapped in permanently shadowed craters at the moon’s south pole. This resource could supply drinking water, air, and rocket fuel for future missions.
Tech billionaire Elon Musk has expressed interest in extracting minerals such as aluminium, titanium, and silicon from the moon, indicating broader commercial interest in lunar resources beyond immediate life-support needs.
Both the US and Russia have stated they will keep their reactors switched off until they reach the moon to minimize radioactive risk during transport. This safety protocol addresses concerns raised by scientists regarding the potential for a radioactive mishap during launch and transit.
Historical Precedents in Space Nuclear Power
The current race builds upon historical precedents of nuclear power in space, though applications differ significantly from past missions. The Soviet Union launched more than 30 nuclear fission reactors into Earth’s orbit between the late 1960s and the 1980s to power spy satellites.
These earlier reactors were small, weighing approximately 1,000kg (2,200 lbs), and produced 3 to 5 kilowatts of electricity. They are no longer operational.
The United States has spent $20bn on advanced space nuclear programs over the past 70 years. However, it has not successfully launched a nuclear reactor into space since an experiment in 1965 that shut down after 43 days due to a non-nuclear electrical failure.