China and Russia are solidifying their collaboration to construct a nuclear power plant on the moon by 2036. This initiative will power the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS), a joint project aimed at establishing a permanent research base on the moon's south pole. The project highlights a shift in global space exploration priorities.
The construction of the nuclear reactor is planned to be autonomous, leveraging robotic technologies. Roscosmos has indicated that the necessary technological advancements are nearly complete. The ILRS seeks to facilitate fundamental space research and test technologies essential for long-term uncrewed operations, potentially leading to a human presence on the Moon.
Currently, 13 countries have joined the ILRS program, including nations such as Egypt, Pakistan, and South Africa. China's Chang'e-8 mission, scheduled around 2029, will lay the groundwork for this ambitious endeavor. This mission marks China's initial steps toward landing an astronaut on the lunar surface. The ILRS roadmap involves multiple heavy-lift rocket launches between 2030 and 2035 to assemble the robotic moon base.
These developments occur as NASA faces potential budget constraints, possibly affecting the future of its Gateway lunar space station. While NASA's Artemis program continues, the collaborative efforts of China and Russia underscore a changing landscape in lunar exploration.