In a surprising twist in international relations, India is reportedly looking to collaborate with China and Russia on an ambitious project to build a nuclear power plant on the Moon. This initiative comes despite ongoing tensions between India and China on Earth but plans on building ‘out of the world’ relations.
The Lunar Nuclear Power Plant
The project, spearheaded by Russia's state nuclear corporation, Rosatom, aims to construct a small nuclear reactor capable of generating up to half a megawatt of energy - enough to power approximately 200-300 homes. This energy will be crucial for sustaining a proposed lunar base, which is part of a broader initiative known as the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS). Rosatom chief Alexey Likhachev stated, “With the involvement of the international community, our Chinese and Indian partners are very interested in this,” pointing out the collaborative spirit driving this plan.
The nuclear plant is expected to be operational by 2036, and its construction will likely be largely autonomous, minimizing the need for human intervention. This approach raises questions about safety and environmental impacts, particularly concerning the transport of nuclear materials from Earth to the Moon. While scientists assert that transporting nuclear fuel poses minimal risks, the potential for accidents during launch remains a concern.
Historically, there have been incidents where radioisotope systems suffered launch failures, leading to contamination fears, so it’ll be interesting to see how this works out.
China and Russia’s Agreement
In March 2021, Russia’s Roscosmos and China’s CNSA signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS). As part of the project, China will launch three missions - Chang’e 6, Chang’e 7, and Chang’e 8 - to test essential technologies and lay the groundwork for a robotic base for remote experiments.
Why Nuclear Power?
Nuclear power is seen as a critical solution for establishing a sustainable human presence on the Moon. Unlike solar energy, which is ineffective during the Moon's long 14-day nights, nuclear reactors can provide a continuous power supply, essential for daily operations such as heating, refrigeration, and powering rovers. NASA has noted that “while solar power systems have limitations on the Moon, a nuclear reactor could generate power continuously during lunar nights”.
The Apollo missions have already demonstrated the feasibility of nuclear power in space; astronauts from Apollo 12 used a nuclear generator to power equipment on the lunar surface in 1969.
But, things are rather controversial as well.
Despite the advantages, the project is not without some issues and drama. The safety of launching nuclear materials into space is a significant concern. Any failure during launch could lead to catastrophic consequences, as seen in past incidents where radioactive materials were released into the environment. Moreover, the governance of nuclear materials on the Moon raises complex legal and ethical questions. The Outer Space Treaty prohibits harmful contamination of celestial bodies, and the in-situ storage of radioactive materials could violate this provision, presenting long-term safety and operational challenges.
Not to forget, the geopolitical implications of this collaboration are big. India’s participation in the project could be viewed as a strategic move to strengthen ties with Russia and China while balancing its relationships with Western powers, particularly the United States. As one analyst noted, “For this collaboration to materialize, several key factors need to be aligned, including diplomatic relations, financial investment, and technological expertise”.
India VS. China on Space Adventures
India is strategically managing its diplomatic ties with both the US and Russia while considering potential future collaboration with China on space research. On August 23, 2024, ISRO chairman S. Somanath noted that India might collaborate with China if needed, though currently, there’s no such plan. But, interestingly, just a month later, they are doing it.
When India’s Chandrayaan-3 rover landed near the lunar South Pole, it intensified the space race with China. A Chinese scientist questioned the significance of the landing site, arguing it was about 619 kilometers from the polar region. China also emphasized its advanced space technology, citing its ability to send orbiters and landers directly into Earth-Moon transfer orbit since 2010 with Chang’e-2.
China’s Chang’e-4 landed on the far side of the moon in 2019, while NASA’s Surveyor 7 had a successful landing at about 41 degrees south in 1968.
Overall, this team-up between India, China, and Russia on the lunar nuclear power plant is definitely a significant shift in the landscape of international space exploration. As Likhachev aptly put it, “We are trying to lay the foundation for several international space projects”, so, by pooling resources and expertise, there’s hope to see where we go with a sustainable human presence on the Moon.
If successful, this project could not only enhance lunar exploration efforts but also reshape diplomatic relations among these countries in the space science and technology area.
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