U.S. Media: U.S., China, and Russia Enter Race to Develop the Moon, with Nuclear Reactors as Core Equipment

The New York Times reports that NASA has issued a solicitation to contractors for nuclear reactors capable of surviving spaceflight and operating autonomously on the lunar south pole. The U.S. aims to complete the reactor by December 2030, in preparation for launch.

The article notes that Russia and China are advancing a joint lunar initiative, with Russia taking primary responsibility for the nuclear power module. Russia plans to construct the "Selene" reactor by 2036, designed to operate independently for up to ten years and supply power to future lunar outposts.

The publication highlights Russia’s historical expertise in this domain: the Soviet Union and Russia have launched more than 30 nuclear reactors into space orbit, and maintain substantial reserves of nuclear fuel suitable for space missions.

The article underscores that this competition will shape the future of space exploration. Nuclear reactors provide continuous power independent of sunlight, enabling sustained operations at permanent bases, supporting lunar resource extraction, and laying the groundwork for deep-space missions beyond the solar system.

Meanwhile, scientists caution about risks during launch. Both U.S. and Russian officials have stated that reactors will not be activated until they reach the Moon, minimizing hazards should a rocket malfunction occur.

Micro-commentary

The central reason nuclear reactors have become pivotal equipment lies in a single fact: the lunar south pole experiences a 14-day period of darkness, with permanently shadowed regions receiving no sunlight. Solar panels paired with batteries can support short-term missions, but are insufficient for sustaining long-term bases, life-support systems, communications, rover charging, water-ice mining, and helium-3 utilization. Nuclear reactors, which do not rely on sunlight, can operate continuously for over a decade—making them essential for extended human presence on the Moon.

Nuclear reactors on the Moon are transitioning from theoretical research to foundational energy infrastructure for national lunar base programs. The U.S., Russia, and China are all accelerating their efforts, though their technical approaches and timelines differ significantly.

United States: Deployment of Lunar Surface Reactors by 2030, with Advancement of Deep-Space Nuclear Propulsion

NASA and the Department of Energy have established a collaborative framework, aiming to deploy a fission surface power system on the lunar surface by 2030. A White House memorandum on space nuclear energy, released in April 2026, further mandates that NASA launch a variant of the lunar reactor by 2030, while the Department of Defense is tasked with advancing reactor systems for orbital use by 2031.

Within NASA, multiple power-level benchmarks are under consideration: early FSP (Fission Surface Power) projects targeted around 40 kilowatts, later policy documents proposed a 20-kilowatt lunar flight system, and long-term planning includes a 100-kilowatt high-power system. NASA also plans to launch SR-1 Freedom—humanity’s first nuclear fission-powered spacecraft for deep space—around 2028. This mission will demonstrate nuclear electric propulsion and conduct a flyby of Mars.

Russia: Leading Development of the “Selene” Reactor, Targeting Completion by 2036

Russia intends to complete its lunar nuclear power station by no later than 2036, designated “Selene.” The project is being developed jointly by Roscosmos, Rosatom, and the Kurchatov Institute. The reactor is designed for approximately 5 kilowatts of power, weighs between 1.2 and 1.3 tons, has a 10-year operational lifespan, and employs liquid-metal cooling with radiative heat dissipation.

Russia’s advantage stems from its extensive experience during the Soviet era, having launched over 30 space-based nuclear reactors. However, challenges remain: the recent failure of Luna-25, and unresolved capabilities in heavy-lift launch vehicles and autonomous lunar surface assembly.

China: Advancing International Lunar Research Station, with Coordinated Nuclear Energy Module Development with Russia

China has not announced a singular timeline for building a lunar nuclear power station. Instead, it positions nuclear energy as part of a long-term power architecture for the International Lunar Research Station. In May 2025, China and Russia signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation for a lunar nuclear power station, with Russia responsible for the primary development of the nuclear power module, while China provides support in launch vehicles, lunar surface deployment, solar energy integration, and overall station systems.

China aims to achieve crewed lunar landing by 2030, establish a basic version of the research station by around 2035, and prioritize lunar south pole investigations through the Chang’e 7 and Chang’e 8 missions, focusing on water ice and resource utilization potential.

In reality, what matters less than who first activates a lunar reactor is who can first integrate energy, transportation, lunar infrastructure, and resource utilization into a closed-loop system. The reactor itself is not an endpoint—it marks the threshold between temporary visits and sustainable, long-term human presence on the Moon.

Original: toutiao.com/article/1878135193319427/

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author.