China Plans to Build a Nuclear Reactor on the Moon for Future Lunar Base

China is taking bold steps toward establishing a long-term human presence on the Moon. The country is now considering building a nuclear reactor to supply continuous power for a future lunar base, as part of its International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) project, which it is developing jointly with Russia.

Beijing’s ambitions in space have been growing steadily. China plans to land its astronauts on the Moon by 2030 and aims to build a permanent, crewed base on the lunar surface by 2035. To support this long-term goal, the country is focusing not only on space exploration missions but also on how to generate reliable power on the Moon’s surface — where sunlight is limited during long lunar nights that last around 14 Earth days.

Why Nuclear Power on the Moon?

During a presentation at a space industry event in Shanghai, Pei Zhaoyu, chief engineer for China’s Chang’e-8 mission scheduled for 2028, explained that the ILRS will need a dependable source of energy to sustain operations. While solar panels will play a role, their efficiency drops drastically during the long lunar nights. This is where nuclear energy comes in.

A nuclear reactor on the Moon would act as the primary power source for the ILRS, ensuring a steady supply of electricity and heat, even when sunlight isn’t available. The concept is considered crucial for running life support systems, research labs, mining operations, and communication equipment at the lunar base.

What Will the Lunar Reactor Look Like?

Though official specifications have not been fully released, Pei’s presentation suggested that the ILRS energy system will include:

• Small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs) capable of operating in extreme lunar environments.

• Pipelines and buried cables to transfer heat and electricity between different parts of the base.

• Large solar power arrays for use during lunar days.

The reactor is expected to generate at least 1 megawatt (MW) of electrical power, which is enough to support basic infrastructure and scientific operations for a small crew. By comparison, NASA has also been exploring similar technologies under its Fission Surface Power project, aiming to deploy a 40-kilowatt reactor on the Moon by the end of the decade.

China’s proposal reportedly focuses on using compact, portable reactors that can be safely transported to the Moon aboard a robotic lander. Once there, the reactor would be deployed in a shielded area to reduce radiation risks to astronauts and equipment.

Russia’s Role in the Project

Russia, a co-partner in the ILRS, has a long history of developing space-based nuclear power systems. According to Wu Weiren, chief designer of China’s lunar exploration program, Russia holds an advantage in this area and will likely contribute valuable expertise in nuclear technology and reactor designs suitable for lunar conditions.

What’s Next?

The Chang’e-8 mission in 2028 will test several key technologies needed for the ILRS, including resource extraction from lunar soil, 3D printing structures using lunar materials, and initial power generation systems. The experience gained from this mission will help refine the nuclear reactor concept and other infrastructure plans ahead of the crewed base’s construction, targeted for 2035.

If successful, China’s lunar nuclear reactor would mark a major leap in space power systems and could eventually support longer-term human settlements on the Moon and even Mars.

China’s plan to build a nuclear reactor on the Moon is a sign of its growing confidence and ambition in space exploration. By addressing the challenges of lunar night and ensuring a continuous power supply, China aims to lay the groundwork for a permanent human base on the Moon within the next decade — a step that would reshape the future of space exploration.