In a landmark development for space exploration, China and Russia have formalized plans to establish a joint lunar base on the Moon, aiming to create a permanent research station near the lunar south pole by the mid-2030s. This ambitious project, known as the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS), represents a significant collaboration between the two space superpowers and marks a strategic effort to rival NASA’s Artemis program. As of 2025, the initiative has gained momentum with the signing of a memorandum of cooperation that includes the construction of a nuclear power plant on the Moon, a critical infrastructure component to sustain long-term lunar operations.
The ILRS is envisioned as a multifaceted facility designed to support both autonomous robotic missions and future human presence. Its location near the Moon’s south pole is strategically chosen due to the region’s potential for water ice deposits, which could be vital for life support and fuel production. The base will serve as a hub for fundamental space research, technology testing, and deep-space exploration preparation, including eventual missions to Mars.
One of the most groundbreaking aspects of this joint venture is the plan to deploy an automated nuclear reactor on the lunar surface by 2035. According to statements from Russia’s space agency Roscosmos and China’s National Space Administration (CNSA), this nuclear power station will provide a reliable and continuous energy supply, overcoming the limitations of solar power, especially during the long lunar nights that last approximately 14 Earth days. The reactor will power scientific instruments, communication networks, lunar vehicles, and habitat modules, enabling sustained operations.
The construction of the nuclear plant and the initial base modules is expected to be carried out largely autonomously, without human presence on-site, leveraging advanced robotics and AI technologies. This approach mitigates risks associated with early lunar missions and prepares the infrastructure for eventual crewed missions. China’s Chang’e-8 mission, scheduled for 2028, is set to lay the groundwork for this base by delivering key technologies and conducting preliminary surface experiments.
The ILRS project has attracted international interest, with over a dozen countries, including Egypt, Pakistan, Venezuela, South Africa, and Thailand, joining the initiative. This broad coalition reflects a growing trend of multilateral cooperation in space exploration beyond traditional Western-led programs. The ILRS aims to foster scientific collaboration, share lunar samples, and develop technologies for sustainable off-Earth living.
While NASA’s Artemis program focuses on establishing an orbital Gateway station and lunar surface operations primarily led by the United States and its partners, the Russo-Chinese ILRS offers a complementary and competitive vision emphasizing permanent lunar presence and energy independence through nuclear power. This dynamic underscores a new phase in the space race, where geopolitical considerations intertwine with scientific ambitions.
Despite the excitement, the ILRS remains in early development stages. Technical challenges such as cooling the nuclear reactor in the lunar environment and ensuring long-term autonomous operation are significant hurdles. However, officials from both Roscosmos and CNSA express confidence that these challenges are surmountable, with many technological components already nearing readiness.
In conclusion, the Russo-Chinese joint lunar base represents a bold step toward humanity’s sustained presence beyond Earth. By combining resources, expertise, and international cooperation, China and Russia are setting the stage for a new era of lunar exploration that could redefine space science and geopolitics in the coming decades. As the project progresses toward its 2035 milestones, the world watches closely, anticipating the transformative impact of this pioneering endeavor on the future of space exploration.