Moon settlements in the future would demand a significant amount of energy. Russia and China have proposed building a nuclear power plant by the mid-2030s to address this need. The moon’s long nights lasting 14 days creates a challenge for using solar power, hence the exploration of other renewable energy options. Russia’s space agency, Roscosmos, is spearheading this project and hopes to install a power unit on the lunar surface together with their Chinese counterparts. They aim to leverage their expertise in nuclear space energy and are also planning to develop a nuclear-powered spaceship for orbiting cargo transportation. However, these plans’ fulfillment still lies in the unknown, due to the faltering state of Russia’s space industry. Development of nuclear-powered technology in space is not a novel idea; NASA awarded contracts last year to investigate a small nuclear reactor’s feasibility for moon missions.

The primary focus is on delivering a power unit that can successfully function in the moon’s unique environment. The unit must weigh under six metric tons, produce 40 kilowatts of electricity, and run for a decade without requiring human intervention. Despite protests about nuclear power’s environmental impacts, the idea is gaining traction as a potential answer to future extraterrestrial settlements’ energy requirements. However, it’s still unclear whether these ambitious projects will eventuate, given the technical difficulties and the precarious status of Russia’s space program. As we journey further into developing technology for life outside of earth, continuous research, collaboration, and testing will be crucial for success.