XPost: alt.politics, alt.space, alt.fan.rush-limbaugh
https://greekreporter.com/2025/05/14/china-russia-moon/
Russia and China have signed a deal to build a nuclear power
plant on the moon. A Russian reactor will power what has been
dubbed the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS), an
initiative jointly led by both countries and expected to be
completed by 2036.
The announcement follows the revelation that, due to NASA’s
2026 budget, US plans for a lunar research station have been
scrapped. Currently, NASA is China’s main rival for lunar
exploration, as its Artemis III program is set to launch
astronauts to the moon once again, sometime in 2027.
China and Russia have both said that the construction of
the research station is expected to be autonomous, without
any human assistance.
The ambitious project has attracted interest from 17
countries, including Venezuela, South Africa, Pakistan,
Egypt, and Thailand. China plans to begin construction
on the lunar surface in 2028
. . .
SO ... looks like Putin and Xi will effectively
own the moon.
This not so good.
Musk has apparently decided NASA should go to Mars
instead. That's a LOT further, a LOT harder ... and
of questionable utility.
Of considerable interest here is the plan to totally
automate the construction of the moon base. If sent
in modular sections construction bots ought to be
able to pull it off.
Oh ... you'd think on the moon solar panels should
be able to deliver a lot of juice. Cells + batts
ought to be fine. So WHAT do these two have in mind
that needs the extra oomph of a reactor ???
--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
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