Russia Aims for Moon Nuclear Plant by 2036, Intensifying Space Race

• Roscosmos plans to build a nuclear power plant on the moon by 2036 to support its lunar program and a joint Russian-Chinese research station.
• The project involves Russian state nuclear corporation Rosatom and the Kurchatov Institute, Russia's leading nuclear research institute.
• The plant aims to power rovers, an observatory, and the infrastructure of the International Lunar Research Station.
• This initiative comes amidst a renewed space race, with Russia seeking to regain its leadership after setbacks like the Luna-25 mission failure.
• NASA also plans to put a nuclear reactor on the moon by the first quarter of fiscal year 2030, highlighting global competition for lunar resources and presence.

Why It Matters: Russia targets a moon nuclear plant by 2036, joining the US in a new lunar power race.