Moon Is The New Battleground: Russia Prepares Nuclear Station As NASA Watches

Moscow: Russia is planning to build a power plant on the moon in the next decade, which can provide energy to space missions and research stations on the lunar surface. This plant may be based on nuclear technology, although Russia has not yet officially used the word “nuclear” regarding it. But it is clear from the names of the institutions included in the plan that nuclear technology will be its main part. Russia's government space agency, Roscosmos, has set a target of 2036 for this project and has signed an agreement with a company named Lavochkin Association.

Why is there such a need?

Sending rockets, running space stations, and maintaining long-term missions to the moon depend on electricity. Solar panels do not work everywhere, especially where there is little sunlight or very low temperatures. In such a situation, Russia believes that if a power plant is built on the Moon, then the upcoming lunar missions will become more reliable. Apart from this, China and Russia also want to build a joint research station on the Moon, which will need energy.

Is this just science or an attempt to show strength?

This question is under discussion. America, China, and now Russia—all three are moving towards building bases on the moon. NASA has already announced that it also aims to install a nuclear reactor on the Moon around 2030. Experts say that if the big powers of the world build permanent structures on the Moon one by one, then in the future, attempts to arbitrarily take resources and land may increase. Currently, there are no clear rules at the international level as to which part of the moon a country can claim.

Is Russia moving forward out of fear of falling behind?

Russia was once at the forefront of space technology. The first human, Yuri Gagarin, went into space thanks to Russia. But in the last few decades, America and China left it behind. Russia's Luna-25 mission crashed in 2023, while on the other hand, America has the support of private companies like SpaceX. In such a situation, this project is being considered as a comeback opportunity for Russia.

What's going to happen next?

Right now the initial work is going on. Safety of the technology, radiation problems, and how to build on the moon—these are the challenges. But it is certain that the Moon is no longer just a place for research; it has become a platform for competition between science, politics, and power.