Russia is reportedly planning to establish a nuclear power plant on the moon within the next decade.
This ambitious project aims to supply energy for its lunar space programme and a joint research station with China, as global powers intensify their efforts in lunar exploration.
Historically, Russia has held a prominent position in space, notably with Yuri Gagarin’s pioneering journey in 1961.
However, its dominance has waned in recent decades, with the nation now trailing behind the United States and, increasingly, China.
The country’s lunar aspirations faced a significant setback in August 2023 when its uncrewed Luna-25 mission crashed during a landing attempt.
Furthermore, the landscape of space launches, once a Russian speciality, has been revolutionised by figures such as Elon Musk, adding to the competitive pressure.
So we’re getting moon Nazis before GTA6
The residents of the hollow Moon might object.
Lets see how long this special operation lasts.
I want a new gameshow where two contestants say the most unbelievable shit to each other until the other has no retort. First episode is Trump and Putin.
They’ll have to fight the Nazis that reside in the dark side
lol…… this isn’t happening.
they played a little too much RA2, yuris revenge.
In the next few years?! Lol. That’s Elon Musk batshit crazy.
It’ll be the US and China going to the moon, most likely, in the next decade or so.
Russia doesn’t even have any functioning launch pads for manned flights after the Baikonur Cosmodrome was damaged in November
They have other launch platforms that can be used to reach the moon, but Baikonur is specifically suitable for reaching the very specific orbit of the ISS without a plane change manuver.
What they most specifically lack is access to modern hardened semiconductors. They are throwing all those at Ukraine.
One other, Vostochniy, which is also not exactly doing great
Crewed or non-crewed even! They can’t even launch crewless Progress resupply vehicles to the ISS right now.
How the fuck they gonna get to the moon if they can’t get to Kiev?
The moon currently doesn’t have anti-rocket weapons systems. Kyiv does.
I’d crowd fund putting anti-rocket weapon systems on the moon. I bet we can beat Russia there.
Instead they’re gonna take over the new Kiev they build on the moon.
They are so cash strapped, instead of building a new space station, they are reusing the 30 year old capsules from the current ISS. Against everyone’s recommendations, even their own scientists.
I totally believe you, but do you have some sources for me?
This wasn’t the original article I read but it’s all over the place now. https://phys.org/news/2025-12-russia-space-station-recycling-iss.html
with China
This answers a few questions
It’s like this ancient joke about the kid that says he and his dad know the answer to every question.
Seems a bit ambitious for a country that has yet to even land successfully on the moon.
I wouldn’t rely on Russia to get a shoebox diorama of a nuclear reactor to the moon “within the next decade.”
I would assume that China is doing the larger part of this.
The article text just says that they’re building a nuclear power plant, not transporting it or building other components of the lunar base.
Yea me too. Call the AP for a presser.
