# Why are the US, Russia and China racing to put nuclear reactors on the moon?

https://mins.news/en/item/123450

- Al Jazeera, 2026-10-31 05:37 UTC
- Science
- Original: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/10/31/why-are-us-russia-and-china-racing-to-put-nuclear-reactors-on-the-moon?traffic_source=rss

> The United States plans to develop a lunar reactor by the end of 2030, while Russia and China aim to do so by 2036. The reactors could power lunar bases and mining, including the extraction of frozen water, but scientists warn of the risk of radioactive contamination.

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