Rivals India and China are reportedly keen on joining a Russian initiative to build a lunar nuclear power plant, setting the stage for unprecedented cooperation in space exploration.
Rosatom, Russia’s state atomic energy corporation, announced plans to construct the reactor with minimal human involvement, targeting deployment around 2036.
At the recent Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, Rosatom CEO Alexey Likhachev revealed that both India and China have demonstrated significant interest in the project.
Likhachev stated, “The task we are working on is the creation of a lunar nuclear power plant with an energy capacity of up to half a megawatt.”
He added that both Chinese and Indian partners are very eager to collaborate in laying the groundwork for various international space ventures.
The lunar nuclear power plant will be an integral component of the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS), a larger Sino-Russian project aimed at establishing a base on the Moon.
The ILRS is expected to become operational between 2035 and 2045 and will serve as a hub for scientific research, welcoming participation from various international partners.
The primary motivation for developing a nuclear power plant on the Moon is the need for a reliable energy source.
The Moon’s lengthy lunar nights make solar power unreliable, whereas a nuclear reactor can provide a consistent and stable energy supply, essential for sustaining a human presence and facilitating scientific research.
Russia and China have already formalized their partnership for the ILRS with a memorandum of understanding signed in March 2021.
This agreement outlines the collaboration on three Chinese missions, Chang’e 6, Chang’e 7, and Chang’e 8, which will test critical technologies and pave the way for a robotic base to facilitate future experiments.
The first mission in this series is set to launch in 2026, with the project expected to be completed by 2028.
India, which has ambitious plans to establish a space station by 2035 and send a manned mission to the Moon by 2040, has yet to comment officially on its potential collaboration with Russia and China.
However, Indian analysts suggest that joining the lunar nuclear power project could align with India’s broader objectives of accelerating its space ambitions.
In August 2023, India achieved a historic milestone by successfully landing a spacecraft on the Moon, joining an elite group of space-faring nations that includes the United States, Russia, and China.
Additionally, India has selected four military pilots for its first manned space flight next year as part of the Gaganyaan mission.
While the prospect of India teaming up with China has surprised many, especially given their unresolved border disputes and historical conflicts, the collaboration on a lunar nuclear power project could offer both nations a platform for improving bilateral relations while driving significant advancements in space technology.
Future cooperation will hinge on several factors, including diplomatic relations, financial investments, and technological capabilities.
It will also be crucial to achieve a consensus on the lunar nuclear plant’s responsibilities, liabilities, and operational procedures.
Russia plans to deploy its reactor by 2036, aligning with India’s timeline to establish a lunar base by 2050.
As space exploration enters a new era of international partnerships, the potential collaboration between India, China, and Russia could redefine the dynamics of global cooperation in outer space, paving the way for groundbreaking achievements on the Moon and beyond.