MOSCOW, May 8. The development of a nuclear power plant for the Russian-Chinese lunar station project has begun, said Roscosmos General Director Yuri Borisov.
At the end of April, he explained that it was necessary to create a compact, reliable, long-term and durable source of nuclear energy on the Moon. This is explained by the fact that the lunar night lasts approximately 14 Earth days, and solar panels cannot accumulate such an amount of energy to ensure the operation of electrical appliances for such a long time.
Russia, together with its Chinese colleagues, is considering the delivery and installation of a nuclear power plant on the surface of the Moon in 2033-2035, Borisov indicated.
The creation of the International Scientific Lunar Station is planned to be deployed in two stages from 2025 to 2035 . It will consist of several modules and be capable of long-term unmanned operation with the prospect of human presence.
As part of the project, it is planned to create a complex of experimental and research facilities on the surface of the Moon and in orbit for multidisciplinary and multi-purpose research work, including the study and use of Earth satellite, lunar observations, fundamental research experiments.