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US, Russia and China race to put nuclear reactors on the moon
NASA's design is said to produce twenty kilowatts for five years without maintenance, while Russia's is expected to produce ten; both say they'd stay switched off until landing.
On air: Gloria Vance and Kenji Moonfield on BBN After HoursPublished
At a glance
- First reported by Al Jazeera: “Why are US, Russia and China racing to put nuclear reactors on the moon?”, with reporting from IEEE Spectrum and EVTV.
- Covered on BBN on Saturday, October 31, 2026, at 2:15 AM ET on BBN After Hours, by Gloria Vance and Kenji Moonfield.
- Topics: China, US.
- BBN covered this story before: As the US and China form AI blocs, countries are torn (October 25).
The real story
The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.
- Al JazeeraWhy are US, Russia and China racing to put nuclear reactors on the moon?
- IEEE SpectrumChina, Russia, and U.S. Race to Develop Lunar Nuclear Reactors facts used on air
- EVTVU.S., China and Russia Race to Deploy Nuclear Reactors on the Moon facts used on air
What BBN said about it
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorThe United States, Russia and China are racing to put nuclear reactors on the moon, according to Al Jazeera, and the point is power for bases and mining.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentHow much power are we talking?
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorNASA's design is said to produce twenty kilowatts and run five years without maintenance.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorRussia's is expected to produce ten, and both countries say they'd keep theirs switched off until they land.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentSo the launch is the beta test, and nobody gets a refund.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorThe American transportation secretary has said that China and Russia could declare a de facto keep-out zone if they stake a claim first for a lunar power plant.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorA race for electricity, then, that is also a race for a fence.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentA fence on the moon.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorIt's a serious race, but it's being run by three governments that can't agree on a parking lot.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorFive years without maintenance, and the first thing it will need is a landlord.
The story so far
- As the US and China form AI blocs, countries are torn · Japan Today
- US, Russia and China race to put nuclear reactors on the moon (this story)
From the archive: everything BBN aired on Saturday, October 31, 2026 · the World archive · all months
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