Russia is discussing with Chinese colleagues the possibility of sending a nuclear power unit to the lunar surface and installing it in 2033-2035
On May 8, Yuri Borisov, director general of Roscosmos, announced via RIA Novosti that development of a nuclear power unit for an international lunar research station, to be built in cooperation between Russia and China, has begun.
International lunar research station. Photo from WeChat's public website "China's Spaceflight"
Borisov reportedly said that a reliable and long-lasting nuclear power unit is needed on the Moon, where a night lasts about 14 Earth days and solar panels are not capable of storing so much energy to keep the unit running for such a long time.
Borisov pointed out that Russia is discussing with Chinese colleagues the possibility of sending a nuclear power unit to the lunar surface and installing it in 2033-2035.
Borisov said Russia could contribute to the joint project by providing a source of nuclear power to operate the lunar research station.
In March 2021, Zhang Kejian, head of China's National Space Administration (CNSA), and Rogozin, director-general of Roscosmos, signed the Memorandum of Understanding between the government of the People's Republic of China and the government of the Russian Federation on cooperation in the construction of an international lunar scientific research station by videoconference, according to WeChat "China's Space" and the space agency's website.
In April of the same year, the Joint Declaration of China's National Space Administration (CNSA) and Russia's State Space Corporation (Roscosmos) on cooperation in building an international scientific research station on the Moon was released.
The declaration demonstrated the confidence and determination of China and the Russian Federation to cooperate in the field of the Moon and deep space.
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