Why are US, Russia and China racing to put nuclear reactors on the moon?
Summary
The United States, Russia and China plan to deploy nuclear reactors on the moon to power lunar bases and mining, including efforts to extract water ice near the south pole. NASA aims to develop its reactor by 2030, while Russia and China target a joint project around 2036. The plans raise concerns about the risk of a radioactive accident during transport or operation.Key Facts
- NASA says its Lunar Reactor 1 would produce 20 kilowatts of electricity and operate for five years without maintenance.
- Russia is developing the Selena reactor, which is expected to produce 10 kilowatts and run for a decade without maintenance.
- The Russian reactor is intended to power a Chinese-led moon base around 2036.
- The planned reactors would support lunar bases and mining of water ice in permanently shadowed craters near the moon’s south pole.
- Water extracted from lunar ice could support life and potentially be used to make rocket fuel.
- The countries say their reactors would remain switched off until they reach the moon.
- The Soviet Union launched more than 30 nuclear fission reactors into Earth orbit from the late 1960s through the 1980s to power spy satellites.
- The United States has not successfully launched a nuclear reactor into space; a 1965 experiment stopped operating after an electrical component failed.
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