China and Russia Finalize Deal to Build Nuclear Power Plant on the Moon by 2036
Moscow, May 17, 2025 – China and Russia have officially signed a memorandum of cooperation to construct a nuclear power plant on the moon, a pivotal step in their joint effort to establish the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) by 2036. The agreement, formalized during Chinese President Xi Jinping’s recent visit to Moscow, was announced by the China National Space Administration (CNSA) and Russia’s Roscosmos on May 15, 2025. This ambitious project aims to provide a sustainable energy source for a permanent lunar base at the moon’s south pole, positioning the two nations as leaders in the modern space race.
The nuclear reactor, to be developed primarily by Russia leveraging its expertise in space-based nuclear technology, will power the ILRS—a sprawling research complex designed to support long-term human presence on the moon. The station, which has already attracted 17 countries including Egypt, Pakistan, and South Africa, will feature advanced infrastructure like lunar vehicles, communication networks, and a space station in lunar orbit. Construction is set to begin with China’s Chang’e-8 mission in 2028, which will lay the groundwork for the base, followed by a series of launches from 2030 to 2035 to assemble the core components. The nuclear plant is expected to be operational by 2036, with plans to expand the ILRS into a broader network by 2050, potentially supporting future Mars missions.
This development comes amid a shifting global space landscape. China has made rapid strides in lunar exploration since its Chang’e-3 mission in 2013, while Russia, despite setbacks like the 2023 Luna-25 crash, brings decades of experience in nuclear space energy. The partnership, first outlined in a 2021 roadmap, has gained momentum as Western sanctions limit Russia’s access to space technology, prompting deeper collaboration with China. However, the project’s timeline and feasibility have drawn skepticism. Posts on X reflect doubts about Russia’s ability to deliver given its recent space failures, with some questioning whether China, which has a stronger track record, truly needs Russia as a partner. Others highlight the economic and demographic challenges both nations face, which could strain funding for such a prestige project by 2035.
The China-Russia lunar initiative also intensifies competition with the U.S., whose Artemis program aims to return astronauts to the moon by 2026 but faces budget constraints and delays. NASA is also exploring lunar nuclear power through its Fission Surface Power project, targeting the early 2030s, but the China-Russia agreement signals a more unified approach. Critics argue this collaboration could exacerbate geopolitical tensions, especially as China plans to integrate its Skynet surveillance technology into the lunar base, raising concerns about privacy and control in space. Meanwhile, India’s potential involvement, hinted at by Rosatom in 2024, remains unconfirmed, though its lunar ambitions align with the project’s timeline.
This nuclear power plant, if successful, could redefine lunar exploration by providing a reliable energy source immune to the moon’s 14-day nights, unlike solar power. Yet, the project’s reliance on robotic construction and untested lunar conditions poses significant risks. As China and Russia push forward, the global community watches closely, weighing the promise of scientific advancement against the specter of a new space race driven by geopolitical rivalry rather than cooperation.