China is developing a nuclear power plant to power the lunar base

China's lunar project manager Wu Weiren informedthat their station at the south pole of the moon will be powered by nuclear power. The country's scientists are already working on a system that can meet "long-term needs."

Weiren did not provide technical details about the reactor under construction, but previous reports have said, that it could generate 1 megawatt of electricity, enough to power hundreds of homes for of the year.

Such a station will be able to provide the energy necessary for the operation of instruments and mechanisms, as well as for astronauts, in particular, for the production of oxygen and water.

The Chinese lunar station is expected to be completed by 2028. Its basic configuration will consist of a lander, bunker and orbiter, as well as a lunar rover. The latter, according to Wei Ren, will be able to transport astronauts.

All elements of the station will be delivered to the Moon as part of the Chang'e-6, Chang'e-7 and Chang'e-8 missions. Shortly thereafter, Chinese astronauts will set foot on the satellite for the first time.

Later, the station may become international, and from time to time astronauts from China, Russia and other potential partner countries will work there. But most of the time, the station will remain deserted, the scientist noted.