China has announced that it plans to construct a nuclear plant on the moon in collaboration with Russia by 2035. China and Russia plan to build the International Lunar Research Station, which will be powered by the lunar nuclear plant. This follows China’s plan to become a major player in space research and exploration, aiming to land its astronauts on the moon by 2030. If all goes according to plan, it will be the first time an astronaut from China has been on the moon. This will then be followed by the construction of the International Lunar Research Station over a period of five years.
Why China Wants To Build A Nuclear Plant On The Moon
Chief designer of China’s lunar exploration program, Wu Weiren, stated that an important question surrounding the International Lunar Research Station is how it will be powered. This is why they decided to partner with Russia to build the nuclear plant on the moon. Russia is seen as a country that has plenty of experience with nuclear power plants and space. In fact, China regards Russia as the leader in this field, surpassing even the United States. America also seems to be setting its eyes on space again. This is no surprise, considering that there hasn’t been an American moon mission since all the way back in 1972.
The United States currently plans to land two astronauts on the moon in 2027, with a proposed base to follow later. While Chinese astronauts have yet to set foot on the moon, they are not strangers to space by a long stretch. In fact, they became the third country to launch a crew into space in 2003 with the Shenzhou 5 mission. A decade later, the Chang’e 3 robotic rover landed on the moon. If the country’s latest endeavor proves successful, it could change the future of space travel for our species. Russia is also making many breakthroughs and aims to construct a few revolutionary space vessels.
Building a nuclear plant on the moon is just one step. According to Yuri Borisov, the former head of Roscosmos, Russia was currently developing the space equivalent of a tugboat. Using a nuclear reactor and turbines, the structure would be able to transport massive cargo loads from one orbit to another. It would also be able to engage in a range of other applications, such as collecting space debris.
The Bottom Line
One reason there is a scramble to occupy the moon is to gain access to certain natural lunar resources. These natural resources are believed to include titanium, silicon, and various metal oxides. This is why China wants to build a nuclear plant on the moon. This would help secure their place as leaders in the race. Their initiative combines China’s expanding technological capabilities with Russia’s extensive experience in nuclear and space technology. The competition for the moon is heating up. With both China and the United States pursuing manned lunar missions, the coming decades promise to be a intersting time for space exploration. These advances have the potential to redefine humanity’s existence beyond Earth.
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