China reveals plans to build nuclear reactor on the moon

China is considering building a nuclear power plant on the Moon to provide energy for the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) - Illustration: Arabian Business

The information was provided by the chief engineer of the Chang'e 8 mission, Pei Zhaoyu, in a presentation in Shanghai on April 23.

According to Reuters, China aims to become a leading space power and send astronauts to the Moon by 2030, with the Chang'e 8 mission playing a role in laying the foundation for building a permanent manned lunar research station.

In a presentation in Shanghai, Chang'e 8 mission chief engineer Pei Zhaoyu said the lunar research station's energy source would likely rely on large-scale solar panels, along with a system of pipes and cables to maintain heat and electricity built directly on the lunar surface.

Russian space agency Roscosmos last year announced plans to build a nuclear reactor on the Moon's surface with the China National Space Administration by 2035, to power the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS).

The fact that the nuclear power unit was mentioned in a presentation by a Chinese space official to representatives from 17 countries and international organizations participating in ILRS shows that Beijing is supporting the idea, although it has not officially announced it.

While China builds an outpost at the Moon's south pole, in the US there is NASA's ambitious Artemis program - aimed at returning American astronauts to the lunar surface.

Wu Weiren, a member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and chief designer of China's lunar exploration project, said last year that the "basic model" of the ILRS, with the lunar south pole as the focus area, would be built by 2035.

The Chang'e probe launches are part of the "basic model" construction phase outlined by Mr. Ngo.

In the future, China will launch the "555 Project", inviting 50 countries, 500 international scientific research organizations and 5,000 foreign researchers to join ILRS.

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Source: https://tuoitre.vn/trung-quoc-tiet-lo-ke-hoach-xay-lo-phan-ung-hat-nhan-tren-mat-trang-20250423164458363.htm