Global powers vie to deploy nuclear reactors on the moon

NASA intends to develop a lunar reactor, designated Lunar Reactor 1, by the end of 2030. Simultaneously, Russia and China are collaborating on a similar project, aiming for completion by 2036.

The primary purpose of these reactors is to power the extraction of frozen water trapped within the moon’s craters. This water can be processed into drinking water, air, and rocket fuel, crucial resources for future lunar bases and supporting ongoing operations.

NASA’s reactor is designed to generate 20 kilowatts of electricity and operate for five years without maintenance, weighing under 6,000kg (13,200 lbs) and fitting within standard rocket compartments. Russia’s Selena reactor, intended to power a Chinese-led lunar base by 2036, is projected to produce 10 kilowatts and operate for a decade, with a lighter weight of 1,100 to 1,300kg (2,400 to 2,800 lbs) to facilitate a gentler landing.

This endeavor isn’t unprecedented; the Soviet Union previously launched over 30 nuclear fission reactors into Earth’s orbit between the 1960s and 1980s to power spy satellites. These reactors, weighing around 1,000kg (2,200 lbs), generated 3 to 5 kilowatts of electricity. The US has invested $20 billion in advanced space nuclear programs over 70 years, but a 1965 experiment, intended to test nuclear power for satellites, failed after only 43 days due to a non-nuclear component malfunction, and remains in orbit today.

The process involves constructing a reactor on Earth and transporting it to the moon via robotic spacecraft. Both the US and Russia plan to keep the reactors deactivated during transit to minimize radioactive risk. Once operational, the reactors will provide continuous power for lunar mining and base operations.

The focus on the moon’s south pole is driven by the presence of water ice in permanently shadowed craters. In addition to supporting life, this ice could also be used to extract minerals like aluminum, titanium, and silicon for satellite manufacturing, as envisioned by tech billionaire Elon Musk. Solar power is limited due to the lunar day-night cycle, making nuclear energy a more reliable option, according to Nuclear Futures Institute director Simon Middleburgh.

The current push is fueled by geopolitical competition. A 2025 executive order from US President Donald Trump mandated NASA to develop a lunar reactor by 2030, mirroring similar announcements from Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin. US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy recently described the effort as a “race to the moon” with China.

While the nuclear technology itself presents challenges, Middleburgh emphasizes that the complexities lie in regulatory approvals, launch capabilities, and the safe landing and setup of the system on the lunar surface.

The race to the moon occurs alongside growing military competition in space. The US recently announced the deployment of weapons into orbit, raising concerns about the potential militarization of space and the targeting of satellites.

Potential risks include accidents during launch and, less likely, a reactor falling back to Earth, as demonstrated by the 1978 Kosmos 954 incident that scattered radioactive material across Canada. On the moon, any contamination would be localized. The use of nuclear energy in space requires responsible management, Middleburgh stated.