Superpowers in a race to place nuclear reactors on the Moon

The United States, China and Russia are racing to develop nuclear reactors for the Moon, as they prepare for future space exploration. The countries believe nuclear energy will be important for building permanent lunar bases, exploring resources and supporting deeper missions into space.

According to The New York Times, in August NASA asked contractors to prepare a nuclear reactor that could survive a journey into space and operate without maintenance near the Moon’s south pole. The agency aims to have the reactor ready for launch by December 2030.

Meanwhile, Russia plans to develop a lunar reactor called Selena by 2036, as part of its secret partnership with China. The project aims to supply energy to Chinese-led lunar stations.

Why do countries want nuclear reactors on the Moon?

A permanent base on the Moon would need a reliable source of electricity. Solar panels can provide energy during the day, but lunar nights last more than two weeks in the Earth calendar, making it difficult to rely on solar energy alone.

Nuclear reactors can operate without sunlight and may be able to supply energy for long periods with limited human intervention. In the early phases, the U.S. and China plan to use solar energy and radioisotope systems to keep equipment warm and charge lunar vehicles. However, a larger base would require more electricity.

According to the report, NASA’s proposed Lunar Reactor 1 is expected to generate 20 kilowatts of electricity and operate for five years without intervention. Russia’s Selena reactor is designed to generate up to 10 kilowatts and operate autonomously for a decade.

Despite the plans, scientists have warned that rushing to build lunar reactors could create serious risks. Rocket launch failures could cause accidents involving the nuclear reactors and potentially spread radioactive materials. Experts have also stressed that installing and maintaining a reactor on the Moon would be challenging.

Unlike reactors on Earth, lunar reactors would be difficult to protect with containment structures, and experts say the areas around them may need to be restricted to reduce radiation risks for astronauts and equipment.

According to The New York Times report, both the U.S. and Russia plan to send their reactors to the Moon in an inactive state, reducing some risks during transport. However, experts say accidents cannot be ruled out, even with safety reviews.

Who owns the Moon?

The race has also raised questions about access to the Moon and its resources. The 1967 Outer Space Treaty says that no country can claim the Moon as its territory. However, questions remain as to whether countries can restrict access to the areas around their lunar bases and whether they can own the resources they extract from the Moon.

NASA accelerated its plans amid fears that a nuclear reactor built by China and Russia could create a restricted zone on the Moon, limiting where American astronauts and rovers could travel. Space law experts have questioned whether such zones, even if created for safety reasons, would conflict with the principle of free access to space under the Outer Space Treaty.

The U.S., China and Russia have not yet proved that their proposed reactors can be installed and operated on the Moon. Their timelines may also change, as technical and safety challenges are addressed.