Russia and China plan to build a nuclear power plant on the moon and appropriate its mineral resources

The ambitious race for a human presence on the Moon has gained new momentum after Russia announced it would begin construction of a nuclear power plant. nuclear power. This development is part of an unprecedented collaboration between Russia and Chinatwo modes that joined forces to create International Lunar Research Stationconstruction of the scientific complex is planned to begin in 2026. According to Yuri Borisov, director RoscosmosRussian Space Agency, in the center SETInstallation of this critical nuclear infrastructure is expected to occur between 2033 and 2035.

The joint project symbolizes the clear competition of these authoritarian regimes in their space race with the West and, in particular, with projects POT develop a path to exploration of the Moon and beyond. China And Russia They assured that their cooperation covers several areas, including “outer space security” and the development of “artificial intelligence weapons”, noting the importance of this alliance in the fields of defense and scientific research.

This deployment scenario is not without an ambitious vision, as the planned base will cover an area of ​​nearly four miles, larger in size than any theme park in the world. Disneyand will focus on studying the unique properties of the Moon. The technical challenges are significant; Long lunar nights, which last approximately 14 Earth days, make it impossible to use solar panels, leading to Borisov propose nuclear energy as a solution.

Cooperation between Russia And China As the security plans suggest, it also has a security and surveillance aspect. China apply your “successful experience” of your surveillance system Skynet on the Moon, designed to protect the base from “suspicious targets.” The surveillance system is the largest in the world and is designed to monitor every corner of China, with more than 600 million cameras installed throughout the country.

In addition to advances in infrastructure and surveillance, International Scientific Lunar Station It will be developed in two phases between 2025 and 2035, including the deployment of multiple modules designed to withstand the harsh lunar environment. “For the base to function, it will be necessary to create a compact, reliable and durable source of nuclear energy in the long term”Borisov noted in April.

Bye Russia And China outline plans for their presence on the Moon, the international community is closely watching them. Possibility of a “lunar gold rush” mentioned POT, envisions a future in which lunar resources, from minerals to helium-3, potentially revolutionary for fusion power, could transform global economics and technology. However, the legality of who “owns” lunar resources remains a topic of intense debate, despite the fact that, according to Outer Space Treaty from 1966 belonging UN.

Target Russia conducting more lunar missions and the possibility of a joint mission involving Russia And China suggest that cooperation between the two countries could extend beyond base creation to include exploration and possible exploitation of lunar resources. This, along with the comments of A.S. Grayling’s account of the emergence of the “cosmic Wild West” raises questions about peace and earthly stability in this new arena of global competition.

The new space race, with its promising but potentially controversial prizes, usheres in an era in which the Moon’s resources and new technologies could catalyze unprecedented transformations in life on Earth and perhaps beyond. At the same time, while Russia And China As they advance their lunar project, the world looks to the skies, wondering how this collaboration could redefine humanity’s future in space.