Russia has announced plans to construct a nuclear power plant on the moon within the next decade, aimed at providing energy for its lunar space program and a joint research station with China. This initiative comes as global powers intensify their efforts in lunar exploration.

Historically, Russia has been a significant player in space exploration, marked by Yuri Gagarin’s first human spaceflight in 1961. However, in recent decades, its prominence has diminished, with the country now lagging behind the United States and China in space capabilities.

The Russian lunar program encountered a major setback in August 2023 when its uncrewed Luna-25 mission crashed during a landing attempt. Additionally, the competitive landscape of space launches has evolved, with private companies like SpaceX, led by Elon Musk, reshaping the industry.

The state space corporation Roscosmos has stated that it plans to build the lunar power plant by 2036 and has signed a contract with the Lavochkin Association aerospace company for this purpose. The plant is intended to support various components of Russia’s lunar program, including rovers, an observatory, and the infrastructure for the International Lunar Research Station, which is a collaborative effort with China.

Roscosmos emphasized that this project represents a significant advancement towards establishing a permanently functioning scientific lunar station and transitioning from one-time missions to a sustained lunar exploration program. While Roscosmos did not explicitly confirm that the plant would be nuclear, it noted the involvement of the Russian state nuclear corporation Rosatom and the Kurchatov Institute, a leading nuclear research facility in Russia. Dmitry Bakanov, the head of Roscosmos, has previously indicated ambitions to deploy a nuclear power plant on the moon and to explore Venus, often referred to as Earth’s “sister” planet.

The moon, located approximately 384,400 km (238,855 miles) from Earth, plays a crucial role in stabilizing the planet's climate and influencing ocean tides.