- US, China, Russia developing nuclear reactors for Moon exploration.
- Nuclear power essential for continuous energy at permanent lunar bases.
- NASA targets 2030, China-Russia plan 2036 for lunar reactor.
The rivalry of the United States, China and Russia is set to reach the Moon. The three superpowers are planning to develop nuclear reactors for the Moon. These nations aim to explore resources on the Moon, and therefore, they would need an uninterrupted power supply. There is solar power available for future space exploration, but that is not enough.
They are exploring the option to create nuclear power near the Moon. These nations think that solar power is not enough for building permanent lunar bases in the future.
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Race For Nuclear Reactors On Moon
The New York Times reported that NASA asked contractors to prepare a nuclear reactor that can survive a space journey in August. The US space agency wants to build a setup that can operate without maintenance near the Moon's south pole. NASA has reportedly set a December 2030 deadline for the launch of the project.
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On the other side, Russia and China are also working on a similar project. China, in a secretive partnership with Russia, aims to launch Selena - a lunar reactor by 2036.
Why Is The Nuclear Reactor On The Moon Important?
A permanent base on the Moon would require a reliable and continuous source of electricity. While solar panels can generate power during the lunar day, the Moon’s nights last more than two weeks by Earth’s calendar, making solar energy alone insufficient and unreliable. Nuclear reactors, by contrast, can operate independently of sunlight and are capable of providing steady power for long periods with minimal human intervention.
Who Does Own The Moon?
The Outer Space Treaty of 1967 signed by the US, China, Russia and others says that space is for peaceful purposes and celestial objects such as the moon are to be used "exclusively for peaceful purposes". The treaty also states that nuclear weapons cannot be placed in space and countries are liable for damage caused by their space objects. Hence, no country can claim that it owns the Moon.
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