Addis Ababa, March 21, 2026 (FMC) – Russia is preparing to deploy a nuclear power station on the Moon in the mid-2030s, marking a significant step in advancing long-term space exploration and extraterrestrial infrastructure.
The announcement was made by Aleksey Likhachev, head of Rosatom, during a seminar organised by the Ministry of Energy of Russia. According to him, the project envisions the gradual delivery of components to the lunar surface within the next decade, TV BRICS reported, citing its media partner Prensa Latina.
The planned facility is expected to generate at least 5 kilowatts of power and operate for up to ten years, providing a stable and autonomous energy source for future lunar missions and infrastructure. Such a system could play a critical role in supporting scientific research, habitation modules, and technological operations beyond Earth.
The initiative is part of a broader national effort to strengthen capabilities in deep space exploration. Earlier, Mikhail Kovalchuk, head of the Kurchatov Institute, outlined ongoing work on advanced plasma rocket engines designed for next-generation spacecraft. These propulsion systems are intended to support missions to the Moon and Mars, while also enabling the transport and deployment of specialised energy systems in space.
The development involves cooperation between leading scientific institutions, including the Russian Academy of Sciences, and reflects a strategic push to integrate nuclear energy solutions into space exploration.
Experts note that reliable power generation will be a key requirement for sustained human and robotic presence on the Moon. The planned nuclear installation could therefore become a cornerstone of future lunar infrastructure, enabling extended missions and more complex scientific activity on the Earth’s natural satellite.