China and Russia to build nuclear reactor on Moon

China and Russia have announced plans to build an automated nuclear power station on the Moon by 2035 as part of the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) project.

The reactor will supply energy for long-term scientific exploration and potential human missions near the Moon’s south pole.
A memorandum of cooperation between the China National Space Administration (CNSA) and Russia’s Roscosmoswas signed this week, laying the groundwork for the ambitious project. The ILRS is viewed as a competitor to NASA’s Artemis Program, which aims to launch a lunar orbiting station, Gateway, starting in 2027 with the support of over 50 countries.
The ILRS plans to establish a research base within 100 kilometers of the lunar south pole, featuring autonomous operations and the potential for short-term crewed missions. According to Roscosmos, the station will support fundamental research and test technologies for future long-duration space exploration.
First proposed in 2017, the ILRS includes participation from over a dozen countries, including Azerbaijan, Pakistan, Belarus, Venezuela, South Africa, Egypt, and Kazakhstan, among others. China has also launched its "555 Project," inviting 50 countries, 500 institutions, and 5,000 researchers to collaborate on lunar research through the ILRS.
While the project's scientific goals are at the forefront, the Moon’s untapped resources—such as metal oxides, rare Earth elements, and helium-3—also present significant economic and strategic interest. However, legal debates continue over the rights to own or exploit lunar resources under current international space law.

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