Mon Aug 18 05:36:42 UTC 2025: ## Moon’s New Race: Powering Lunar Ambitions with Nuclear Energy
**New Delhi, August 18, 2025** – The global space race is evolving beyond simple landings and flag planting. With plans unveiled by both China and the United States to establish nuclear power plants on the Moon by 2035 and 2030, respectively, the focus has shifted to building a sustainable presence there, and power is at the heart of it.
While seemingly a sudden development, the concept of nuclear power in space is not new. Both the U.S. and the former Soviet Union have utilized radioisotope generators to power satellites and rovers since the 1960s.
According to space law expert Michelle L.D. Hanlon, this development is not an “arms race,” but a “strategic infrastructure race.” She emphasizes that infrastructure, in this context, equates to influence. While deploying a nuclear reactor on the Moon is neither illegal nor unprecedented under current international law, specifically the 1967 Outer Space Treaty and the UN’s 1992 resolution on nuclear power sources in outer space, the manner in which it is done will be crucial.
The Outer Space Treaty requires nations to act with “due regard” to the interests of others. Consequently, establishing a reactor effectively “draws a line on the lunar map,” potentially influencing future lunar activities and legal interpretations.
Experts argue that a lunar nuclear reactor could be the key to unlocking long-term human activity on the Moon, powering habitats, mining operations, and life-support systems. It could also be invaluable in developing technology for deeper space missions, such as those planned for Mars where solar power is insufficient.
The article emphasizes that international cooperation and transparency will be crucial. The United States has an opportunity to set a precedent by publicly sharing its plans and reaffirming its commitment to peaceful use, encouraging similar behavior from other nations.
Critics raise concerns about radiation risks and the need for stringent safety protocols. However, proponents highlight that lunar reactors are vital for accessing resource-rich areas such as the lunar south pole, where ice deposits could fuel rockets and sustain lunar bases. Establishing a presence in these areas would allow a country to secure access to resources, potentially excluding others from doing the same.
The future of lunar exploration will be determined not by who plants the most flags, but by who builds what, and how. Nuclear power is poised to play a pivotal role in that future, with transparency and adherence to international guidelines ensuring a safer and more collaborative journey.
First Piper 