Global powers are seeking to establish permanent human settlements on the Moon and secure energy for space exploration. To this end, three superpowers—the United States, China and Russia—have entered a fierce competition to install nuclear reactors on the lunar surface. NASA has set a goal to send a nuclear reactor to the Moon by 2030 to ensure an uninterrupted power supply for future space missions. Meanwhile, Moscow and Beijing are moving forward with plans to jointly install a nuclear reactor named “Selena” on the Moon by 2036. This information was reported by the US media outlet The New York Times.
The report notes that conducting long-term research on the Moon using solar power is extremely difficult because the lunar night lasts for more than two consecutive weeks. Nuclear energy is the only viable option to maintain necessary power and warmth at a permanent base during these periods of prolonged darkness and extreme cold. NASA intends to install its proposed 20-kilowatt “Lunar Reactor-1” at the Moon’s South Pole; it is designed to remain operational for five consecutive years without any maintenance. In contrast, the 10-kilowatt “Selena” reactor—a joint venture between China and Russia—would be capable of supplying electricity autonomously for a full decade. However, scientists have expressed deep concern regarding this rush to install nuclear reactors on the Moon.
There is a significant risk of radiation spreading into space or Earth’s atmosphere in the event of a rocket launch accident. Furthermore, ensuring the safety of these reactors in the Moon’s extremely hostile environment poses a challenge. Meanwhile, fears of a new geopolitical conflict over lunar territory surrounding these nuclear installations have also emerged. Under the 1967 Outer Space Treaty, no nation can claim sole ownership of any part of the Moon. However, if a country declares a ‘prohibited or restricted area’ around its own reactor under the pretext of nuclear safety, it could hinder the movement of astronauts from other nations. Driven by this concern, the United States is pushing to accelerate the implementation of its own projects. This is leading to a division in space as well.
