US and Russia Compete to Build Nuclear Power Plants on the Moon

Russia and the US are racing to build nuclear power stations on the Moon. Both nations aim to support long-term lunar bases and future missions to Mars. The projects mark a new phase in space exploration, with each country pushing to secure its place in the next era of off-world energy.

Russia's space agency, Roscosmos, has set a 2036 target for its lunar plant. Meanwhile, NASA plans to have its own reactor running by early 2030, funded through a mix of government budgets and private partnerships.

Russia's lunar ambitions come as it seeks to revive its historic leadership in space. In 1961, Yuri Gagarin became the first human in orbit, a milestone for the Soviet programme. Now, Roscosmos has tasked Lavochkin with constructing the power station, supported by nuclear specialists Rosatom and the Kurchatov Institute.

The plant is designed to supply electricity for rovers, research stations, and future lunar infrastructure. Beyond energy, the Moon holds valuable resources like rare earth metals—scandium, yttrium, and lanthanides—essential for advanced technology. Scientists also estimate up to a million tons of helium-3, a potential fuel for clean nuclear fusion, could be mined there. NASA's Fission Surface Power project is moving faster, with a 2030 deadline. The agency has allocated $110 million from its 2026 budget, part of the broader Artemis programme. Key partners include the US Department of Energy, Idaho National Laboratory, and private firms like BWX Technologies and Rolls-Royce. The reactor will power habitats, experiments, and equipment for sustained human missions. International law allows nuclear power in space under strict controls, though weapons remain banned. Both projects must comply with these rules while pushing the boundaries of off-world energy production.

The two power stations will enable longer lunar stays and serve as stepping stones for Mars missions. Russia's 2036 timeline contrasts with NASA's earlier goal, reflecting different strategies in the new space race. Success for either could reshape how humanity operates beyond Earth, turning the Moon into a hub for science and exploration.