China and Russia have signed a new space agreement to build a nuclear power plant on the Moon. The plant is designed to power their planned International Lunar Research Station, which is expected to be completed by the year 2036. This partnership marks a big step in the growing space cooperation between the two countries.
The announcement came shortly after NASA, the U.S. space agency, released its proposed budget for 2026. In the budget, NASA plans to cancel its orbiting lunar station project, known as the Lunar Gateway. This decision could reduce the United States’ role in future lunar exploration.
The nuclear plant will be built by Russia and will supply energy to the shared Moon base project. The base, officially named the International Lunar Research Station, is a long-term space mission led by both China and Russia. It will be located at the Moon’s south pole and will be used for research and future human missions.
The project will rely on robotic systems to build the reactor and set up the base. Russian officials have said that the entire construction process may be completed without human workers. They explained that the technology needed to carry out the operation is nearly ready. This suggests that robots will transport, assemble, and activate the nuclear system on the lunar surface.
The main goal of the new Moon base is to support scientific research and test technologies for long-term operations in space. The station will also be used to prepare for future human exploration missions. China plans to launch the Chang’e-8 mission in 2028, which will be its first crewed mission to the Moon. This mission will lay the foundation for the future base.
The Moon base is part of a bigger plan first announced in June 2021. China and Russia said at that time that they would use five super heavy-lift rockets between 2030 and 2035 to transport equipment to the Moon. These large rockets will carry the materials needed to build and power the Moon base.
Seventeen countries have joined the Moon base project so far. These include Egypt, Pakistan, Venezuela, Thailand, and South Africa. The goal is to build a station that is shared by many countries and used for peaceful research.
The location of the Moon base is important. The south pole of the Moon gets more sunlight than other areas. This makes it easier to collect solar energy. It is also believed that water ice may exist in some of the craters in this region. If found, the water could be used for drinking, creating oxygen, and producing fuel.
The use of nuclear energy instead of solar panels adds more power and stability to the station. Lunar nights can last up to 14 Earth days, making it hard to rely only on solar power. The nuclear reactor will help keep the base running during this time and allow machines to work without breaks.
The power plant must be small and strong to survive the extreme environment of the Moon. It needs to last many years, handle radiation, and work without human repairs. It also must be built safely to avoid any harm to people or the lunar environment.
Meanwhile, the United States is making changes to its space plans. NASA’s budget proposal shows a shift in focus, possibly away from the Moon. By canceling the Lunar Gateway project, NASA could lose a key platform for human and robotic missions. This move may slow down U.S. progress in building a lasting presence on the Moon.
Some space experts believe the Chinese-Russian project shows clear leadership in the next phase of lunar exploration. Their clear goals, strong planning, and international partnerships may give them an advantage over other countries.
At the same time, the project raises new questions. For example, international laws about space do not yet fully cover the use of nuclear energy on the Moon. There may be legal and political debates in the coming years. Some fear this may increase competition and tensions between nations.
Still, both China and Russia have said they want to work with other countries. They invite scientists and engineers to join their efforts. They also welcome countries that are new to space exploration and want to share knowledge and resources.
With the planned launch of Chang’e-8 in 2028 and rocket missions between 2030 and 2035, the project seems to be moving on schedule. If successful, it could open a new chapter in space science and international cooperation.
