President Donald Trump signed an executive order titled “Ensuring American Space Superiority” on December 18, mandating NASA to deploy a nuclear reactor on the Moon’s surface by 2030. The document foresees the return of American astronauts to the Moon by 2028 under the Artemis program and the establishment of initial elements of a permanent lunar base by the end of the decade. The reactor is to supply at least 100 kilowatts of electric power and be ready for launch by that deadline.
American Nuclear Energy Plan for the Moon
Just five days later, on December 23, the Russian space agency Roskosmos announced signing a state contract with the company NPO Lavochkin to build a nuclear power plant on the Moon by 2036. The agreement envisions work continuing until 2025-2026, with the plant powering the joint Russian-Chinese International Lunar Research Station. The project also involves the state nuclear corporation Rosatom and the Kurchatov Institute, Russia’s leading nuclear energy research center.
Russian Power Plant for the International Research Station
Both announcements highlight a shift in space exploration from previous scientific collaboration into an increasingly strategic rivalry among superpowers. Donald Trump’s executive order points to achievements in space as “a measure of national vision and willpower” and directs the government to attract an additional 50 billion dollars in private investment into American space markets by 2028.
Sean Duffy, acting NASA administrator, expressed concerns that China and Russia might declare no-entry zones on the Moon. Experts emphasize that according to the 1967 Outer Space Treaty, no nation can claim sovereignty over lunar territory, but operational infrastructure may create de facto control over specific areas on the Moon’s surface.
Geopolitical Consequences and Technological Challenges
In recent years, Russia has lagged behind in the space race, underscored by the failure of the Luna-25 mission in August 2023 when the probe crashed on the lunar surface. Currently, the country cooperates with China on the International Lunar Research Station project, formalized in a 2021 memorandum that has attracted participation from many nations.
Nuclear energy is deemed a key component for sustainable operations on the Moon due to its unique 28-day rotation cycle. This cycle causes two weeks of continuous darkness, making solar power alone insufficient to supply long-term bases, research facilities, and mining operations. Hence, investments in nuclear reactors are essential to provide a stable and continuous power source.
The competition between the United States and Russia over nuclear energy on the Moon fits into a broader context of geopolitical tensions extending into outer space. Both countries strive to secure strategic positions on the Moon, which could influence the future of international cooperation and regulations concerning space exploration.