Russia is setting its sights on the moon with an ambitious plan to build a lunar power station by 2036, Roscosmos announced on Wednesday, December 24. This project aims to supply reliable energy for lunar rovers, observatories and the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS), marking a shift from episodic missions to a continuous presence.
In mid-December 2025, Roscosmos signed a contract with the Lavochkin Association to kick off the decade-long initiative. The comprehensive plan covers:
- Development of specialized spacecraft
- Ground-based testing of power systems
- Flight demonstrations and prototype launches
- Deployment of solar arrays and energy infrastructure on the lunar surface
By establishing a permanent energy hub, Russia aims to support both its domestic lunar programs and the ILRS facilities shared with international partners. The station is designed to deliver steady power through lunar night cycles, overcoming one of the biggest hurdles in moon exploration.
The move follows President Vladimir Putin's announcement on April 12, 2022, at the Vostochny Cosmodrome, when he declared the resumption of Russia's lunar exploration efforts. Now, with a clear roadmap up to 2036, Roscosmos is transforming those goals into concrete milestones.
This initiative could spur new partnerships between state agencies and private aerospace firms, boosting innovation in space infrastructure and setting the stage for long-term lunar operations.
With the contract signed and initial tests already in motion, the countdown to a powered lunar frontier has begun.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
