Many countries have been scrambling to return humans to the moon, and Moscow and Beijing joined forces in 2022 to sign a memorandum of understanding on joint exploration of celestial bodies. The two sides also pledged to work together to establish a base there by the 2030s.
Russian and Chinese astronautics are seriously considering a joint project to install a nuclear power plant on the moon over the next decade to generate electricity for future lunar settlements, the head of the Russian space agency, Yuri Borisov, revealed.
Former Deputy Prime Minister Borisov, who was appointed head of the Russian Space Agency in 2022, claimed on Tuesday that the technologies needed for the development of the moon's nuclear are almost ready. "Today, we are seriously considering a project - sometime at the turn of 2033-2035 - to deliver and install a power unit on the lunar surface with our Chinese colleagues," he said at the World Youth Day near Sochi.
Borisov said that nuclear energy could be the solution to provide the energy needed to settle on the moon, since solar panels will not be able to generate enough electricity. He said the robot will be used to install the reactor.
This is a very serious challenge, "said Director Borisov. "It should be done in automatic mode without the presence of a human being. ”
Borisov said that the only technical hurdle that has not yet been cleared is the solution to cool the reactor.
According to the head of Roscosmos, the technology necessary for the construction of such a lunar nuclear power plant is almost ready. In addition, Borisov weighed in on Russia's plans to build a nuclear-powered cargo spacecraft called Zevs.
We are building a space tugboat, which, thanks to nuclear reactors and high-power turbines, will be able to transport large cargo from one orbit to another, collect space debris and engage in a number of other tasks, "said Borisov.
The discussion about the lunar reactor comes at a time when some observers say the modern space race between the United States and its allies and Russia and China on the other. The commander of the US Space Command, Gen. Stephen Whiting, claims that China is developing its space-based military capabilities at an impressive pace. And China's Ministry of National Defense warns that Washington is leading a dangerous campaign to militarize outer space.
Mike Turner, chairman of the U.S. House Intelligence Committee, claimed last month that Russia seeks to deploy missiles in space, possibly with nuclear warheads, to improve its anti-satellite capabilities. Russia** Putin responded that Washington is using false statements to gain bargaining chips to limit space-based **.
Borisov insisted that Russia has no plans to deploy nuclear weapons in space.
Last year, Borisov described how a nuclear space tug could be used to propel inactive geostationary satellites into deep space, saying that our future use of outer space must be considered and that it is environmentally clean for future generations.
In November 2022, the Russian State Space Agency and the China National Space Administration reached an agreement on a joint lunar base project, pledging to work together to establish a base there by the 2030s. The project will be implemented in three phases.
The first stage provides for Russian and Chinese lunar missions to explore the Moon together, determining the optimal location of the lunar station. It is reported that at this stage, the Russian side is planning to use the Luna-Glob lander.
The second phase envisages the creation of a control center for the lunar base to deliver bulk cargo to the Earth satellite, as well as the creation of orbital modules to provide electricity, communications and transport services.
The third stage involves the exploration of the lunar surface, expanding the capabilities of the lunar station module.
In the past few years, the head of China's lunar exploration work, academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, and chief designer of the Chang'e program, revealed in 2022 that China is working on a new type of nuclear power plant to support a permanent base on the moon.
We are currently developing a new energy system where nuclear energy can provide high power and long-term**. Communication facilities can enable communication between the Moon and Earth, or with other planets such as Mars. “
There are reports that the plant will be able to generate one megawatt of electricity, which is about 100 times more than NASA's kilowatt reactor. NASA plans to build a lunar nuclear reactor with its own. Hotspot Engine Program