Russia and China have officially signed an agreement to jointly build an automated nuclear power station on the Moon, aiming for completion by 2035. The agreement, finalized this month between Russia’s Roscosmos and China’s National Space Administration (CNSA), marks a major advancement in their collaborative lunar exploration efforts.
Part of the ILRS Initiative
The nuclear facility will be part of the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS), a joint initiative launched in 2017. Designed to support both robotic and future human missions, the station is planned to be located within 100 kilometers of the Moon’s south pole.
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Roscosmos stated that the nuclear station will aid in conducting core space research and testing technologies needed for long-term unmanned missions, eventually paving the way for crewed lunar exploration.
Growing Global Involvement
The ILRS project is not limited to China and Russia. It includes participation from several other countries, such as Venezuela, Belarus, Pakistan, Egypt, Kazakhstan, and others, reflecting a broad international interest in lunar development.
Nuclear Tug and Space Innovation
Roscosmos chief Yuri Borisov also revealed ongoing development of a nuclear-powered cargo spacecraft — nicknamed a “space tug” — intended for tasks like orbital transport, debris removal, and large cargo delivery. Most technical issues have been resolved, though managing the reactor’s heat remains a key challenge.
Geopolitical Implications and U.S. Budget Cuts
This announcement comes as NASA faces budget constraints. The proposed 2026 budget includes canceling the Gateway lunar space station and reevaluating the costly Space Launch System (SLS) after Artemis III, prompting concerns about the U.S. maintaining its lead in space amid rising international competition.
