China is planning to build a nuclear power plant on the Moon in collaboration with Russia.
The project, named Chang’e-8, aims to provide a power source for a manned lunar base, the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS), which will also be developed in partnership with Russia.
According to Interesting Engineering, researchers view nuclear energy as the most reliable option, and China will be able to draw on Russian expertise to develop the project under conditions vastly different from those on Earth.
While Russia and China are joining forces, the United States is working on its own lunar initiative. NASA’s Artemis program plans to send two astronauts to the Moon in 2027 with the goal of establishing a permanent base.
If China succeeds, it could dramatically reshape the future of space exploration, paving the way for even more ambitious missions.
(QG - Source: Geo — Picture : © Unsplash)
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