Moon Reactor Race! China-Russia vs NASA Nuclear Race! (Video)

BY:SpaceEyeNews.

Introduction: A New Lunar Energy Race Unfolds

The Moon is no longer just a backdrop for space exploration dreams — it’s becoming the frontline for the next era of infrastructure in space. At the center of this transformation is a critical competition between three space powers: the United States, China, and Russia. Each aims to be the first to install a nuclear reactor on the lunar surface, a technological leap that could determine not only who powers the Moon, but who shapes the rules for operating there.

NASA is now working toward a 100-kilowatt nuclear reactor deployment by the end of 2029, while China and Russia are jointly developing a lunar nuclear power station with a target completion in the mid-2030s. This is not merely about power generation; it’s about strategic positioning, operational access, and the ability to sustain long-term human and robotic activities on the Moon.

Why the Moon Needs Nuclear Power

Long-term lunar operations require a reliable and continuous energy source, and nuclear power offers the most practical solution. The Moon’s environment presents unique challenges: a single lunar day lasts about 28 Earth days, meaning there are roughly 14 consecutive days of sunlight followed by 14 days of complete darkness. During these long nights, solar panels cannot produce energy, and battery systems are insufficient to maintain operations over such extended periods without sunlight.

NASA’s chosen site for future operations — the Moon’s South Pole — adds another layer of complexity. This region contains permanently shadowed craters that may hold significant reserves of frozen water. That ice could be a game-changer, providing water for astronauts, oxygen for breathing, and hydrogen for rocket fuel. But those same shadows also block sunlight year-round, making solar power generation extremely unreliable.

A nuclear reactor, on the other hand, can deliver a steady 100 kilowatts of power, enough to support around 80 typical American homes. On the Moon, this level of output could run habitat life-support systems, power scientific instruments, maintain communication links, and support resource processing operations — all without being affected by lunar day-night cycles.

NASA has been exploring nuclear surface power concepts for years. In 2022, it awarded three $5 million contracts to private companies for early-stage prototype designs. Those designs, while modest in power, were intended to pave the way for scalable systems. With the latest directive from NASA Administrator Sean Duffy, the agency has dramatically increased both the planned capacity and the pace of development.

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NASA’s Accelerated Plan: A 2029 Deadline

The new directive signals a significant shift in NASA’s approach. Under Duffy’s orders, the space agency must:

• Appoint a program leader within 30 days
• Issue a formal Request for Proposals (RFP) to the private sector within 60 days
• Deploy a 100-kilowatt reactor to the Moon by the end of 2029

This compressed schedule is unusual for a major NASA project and reflects the strategic importance of getting there before competitors. The reactor would be a cornerstone of the Artemis Program, which aims to return humans to the Moon, with a crewed landing tentatively scheduled for 2027.

However, challenges remain. The Artemis lander, being developed by SpaceX and based on the Starship platform, has yet to be tested in actual lunar landing conditions. Delays in hardware readiness could affect both crewed missions and infrastructure deployment schedules. Despite this, NASA is moving ahead with the reactor timeline, indicating that the agency views power capability as a non-negotiable requirement for establishing a sustainable presence on the Moon.

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China and Russia’s Joint Plan: The ILRS Vision

In May 2025, China and Russia signed a memorandum of cooperation to build their own nuclear-powered lunar base: the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS). Planned for completion in the mid-2030s, the ILRS will be located within 100 kilometers of the Moon’s South Pole — the same region targeted by NASA.

The ILRS is envisioned as a permanent research and habitation facility, powered by a nuclear reactor capable of supporting continuous operations. Unlike NASA’s plan, the ILRS is a broad international effort involving 17 participating countries, including Egypt, Pakistan, Venezuela, Thailand, and South Africa.

Before construction begins, China plans to launch the Chang’e-8 mission, which will test key technologies like in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) — converting lunar materials into oxygen, water, or fuel. This mission is expected to be a critical step toward reducing dependence on Earth for supplies, making long-term lunar presence more economically viable.

The ILRS not only represents a technical challenge but also a diplomatic one, offering China and Russia an opportunity to expand their influence in global space governance by inviting other countries into their cooperative framework.

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The Concept of Restricted Zones

One of the most debated aspects of the lunar reactor race is the idea of “restricted zones.” These are designated areas around critical infrastructure — such as reactors, landing pads, or habitat modules — where access by others would be limited for safety and operational reasons.

The Outer Space Treaty of 1967 prohibits any nation from claiming sovereignty over parts of the Moon. However, it does not explicitly address how safety zones should be handled when multiple nations operate in close proximity. The United States has addressed this gap through the Artemis Accords, which allow for the creation of “safety zones” around installations. These zones are meant to be temporary and non-territorial but can function as exclusive-use areas in practice.

China and Russia have not signed the Artemis Accords, and therefore are not bound by their provisions. This lack of agreement raises questions about how each side would view the other’s zones, especially if they overlap or restrict access to valuable areas.

Without a universally accepted framework, there’s potential for disputes over access to lunar resources like water ice or strategically located flatlands for construction. The first nation to establish and maintain such infrastructure could effectively set operational norms that others would have to adapt to — whether or not they agree with them.

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Why This Race Matters

The nuclear reactor race is about far more than bragging rights. Reliable lunar power will be the foundation for:

• Permanent human habitats capable of supporting astronauts for months or years
• Large-scale scientific research in astronomy, geology, and biology
• In-situ resource utilization, reducing the need to launch supplies from Earth
• Interplanetary mission staging, using the Moon as a launch platform for Mars and beyond

By achieving operational capability first, a nation could position itself as the primary provider of energy and services on the Moon, influencing everything from base locations to mission schedules. This leadership role could also extend into setting international norms for lunar activity, shaping space governance for decades.

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The Road Ahead

NASA’s ambitious 2029 target and China–Russia’s mid-2030s goal set the stage for a pivotal decade in space exploration. Both approaches have strengths: NASA benefits from deep expertise, private-sector partnerships, and the Artemis framework, while China and Russia bring combined resources, shared mission costs, and a growing network of international partners.

What remains to be seen is whether competing infrastructure will operate cooperatively, coexist independently, or create operational friction in overlapping regions. The development of a clear, internationally recognized framework for safety zones and shared access could prevent misunderstandings and ensure that the Moon becomes a platform for collaboration rather than competition.

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Conclusion: Powering the Moon, Shaping the Future

The race to build the first nuclear reactor on the Moon is more than a technological challenge — it’s a defining moment for the future of space governance. The outcome will influence how resources are shared, how infrastructure is protected, and how nations cooperate or compete in the decades ahead.

With timelines converging and stakes rising, the next few years will reveal not only which nation can deliver lunar nuclear power first, but also who will take the lead in defining humanity’s next great frontier.

References:

https://euromaidanpress.com/2025/08/05/cold-space-war-china-russia-race-to-install-nuclear-reactor-on-moon-and-establish-restricted-zones-for-us/

https://www.gazetaexpress.com/en/New-space-race-as-US–China-and-Russia-compete-to-be-the-first-to-build-a-nuclear-reactor-on-the-moon/