Why are US, Russia and China racing to put nuclear reactors on the moon?

What the report says

The United States, Russia and China are each pursuing plans to place nuclear reactors on the moon, according to Al Jazeera, as they look to support future lunar bases and mining operations. The article says NASA announced in January that it wants a lunar reactor ready by 2030, while Russia, working with China, is aiming for a reactor by 2036. The stated goal is to provide reliable electricity for operations near the moon’s south pole, where scientists believe water ice exists in permanently shadowed craters.

Al Jazeera reports that the reactors would be used to power extraction of that ice, which could be turned into drinking water, air and rocket fuel for crews on the moon. The article says the US concept, Lunar Reactor 1, is expected to generate 20 kilowatts, while Russia’s Selena reactor is designed to produce 10 kilowatts and operate for years without maintenance. The piece also notes that solar power may be less dependable on the moon because of long periods without sunlight.

The article places the effort in a wider geopolitical context, linking it to heightened competition in space and to broader military concerns beyond Earth. It also recalls past nuclear activity in space, including Soviet-era orbital reactors and a 1978 incident in which a Soviet satellite spread radioactive debris over northern Canada. Experts quoted by Al Jazeera say nuclear power could be lawful under the Outer Space Treaty if used peacefully and with care to avoid harmful contamination.

The report says the main risks include launch accidents and the challenge of safely landing and operating the systems on the lunar surface. While nuclear power could help make sustained moon missions more practical, the article argues that technical, regulatory and safety hurdles remain significant.