China and Russia signed a memorandum of cooperation, which involves the construction of a nuclear power plant on the moon 2036 year. The reactor will provide energy to the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) — a joint project of the two states, which has already attracted 17 countries, in particular Egypt, Pakistan, STEAM, Thailand and Venezuela.
Against this background, the US is raising more and more questions about the future of its own lunar program. In the new budget proposal for 2026 year, the Trump administration plans to cancel the NASA Gateway project — an orbital base around the moon, which should become an important link in the Artemis program.
Race for presence on the moon
The Russian space agency Roscosmos reported, that the construction of a lunar nuclear reactor, probably, will be autonomous, without the participation of people. According to the head of the agency Yuriy Borisov, technological solutions for this are almost ready.
ILRS will be the first long-term base at the South Pole of the Moon and will perform as scientific research, as well as tests of technologies of long-term unmanned operation - with the prospect of further human presence.
What's next?
- IN 2028 year China plans to implement the mission Chang’e-8, which will be the first step in the construction of the base and will include astronaut landing.
- WITH 2030 by 2035 years the main modules will be delivered with the help of five heavy rockets.
- After that, China plans expand the station, including in it an orbital station around the Moon and nodes on the equator and the reverse side of the satellite.
- To 2050 year the station must be completed, including power system based on solar, nuclear and radioisotope generation, high speed communication, and various vehicles — as piloted, and automatic.
Meanwhile in the US
The recently announced White House budget proposal could stop the Gateway project, which is part of the Artemis program, which provides for the return of NASA astronauts to the moon in 2027 year. This raises concerns about the loss of US leadership in space.
China, in return, rapidly implements his plan: with 2013 year, the country successfully lands devices on the moon and Mars, collects samples and develops detailed infrastructure for a long-term presence in space.