Russia, China Set Sights On Automated Lunar Nuclear Power Station By 2035

China and Russia have inked a pact to jointly build an automated nuclear power station on the Moon by 2035, NDTV reported.

The memorandum of cooperation, signed earlier this month by Roscosmos and the China National Space Administration (CNSA), is expected to bring the power station into the framework of the proposed International Lunar Research Station (ILRS).

"The station will conduct fundamental space research and test technology for long-term uncrewed operations of the ILRS, with the prospect of a human being's presence on the Moon," Roscosmos wrote in a 8 May announcement after the signing of the memorandum.

Announced in 2017, the ILRS initiative has grown into a multilateral effort, drawing participation from nations including Venezuela, Belarus, Azerbaijan, South Africa, Egypt, Nicaragua, Thailand, Serbia, Pakistan, Senegal, and Kazakhstan.

The station is likely to be located within 100 kilometres of the Moon’s south pole and feature long-term autonomous operations and short-term human missions.

Roscosmos chief Yuri Borisov noted last year that a nuclear-powered cargo spaceship was also under development, alongside the Moon-based reactor.

All engineering hurdles had been cleared except for devising a cooling system for the reactor, he said.

"We are indeed working on a space tugboat. This huge, cyclopean structure that would be able, thanks to a nuclear reactor and a high-power turbines...to transport large cargoes from one orbit to another, collect space debris and engage in many other applications," Borisov said.

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