Rosatom to Build Lunar Nuclear Station by 2035

Rosatom has announced plans to build the first nuclear power station on the Moon by the mid-2030s. The project is part of Russia's lunar program, aimed at providing power for lunar rovers and observatories.

Key specifications

• The reactor output reaches 10 kW, enough to run several household appliances
• Station weight does not exceed 1.2 tonnes
• Autonomous operation period is designed for 10 years

The energy system must withstand extreme conditions: launch G-forces, vacuum, and radiation. The main test is the two-week-long lunar night, with temperatures dropping to around -150 °C.

In December 2025, Roscosmos signed a state contract with NPO Lavochkin for the station's development through 2036. Competition is already underway: NASA has tasked its contractors with preparing a reactor for the Moon's south pole by December 2030.