Russia has laid out an ambitious space strategy that aims to establish a nuclear power plant on the Moon and develop nuclear-powered transport systems for interplanetary travel by 2036. This plan reflects Russia's long-standing expertise in nuclear technology, both on Earth and in its pioneering icebreaker fleet.

The strategy, detailed in a draft presidential decree, outlines a series of lunar missions, including the launch of Luna-26 in 2028 and Luna-27 between 2029 and 2030. Additional spacecraft are scheduled for deployment between 2032 and 2036 to collect lunar soil samples. Furthermore, the plan includes exploration missions to Venus and Mars using unmanned probes, as well as the search for resources on asteroids.

Central to this strategy is the use of helium-3, which is expected to be mined on the Moon and is considered an ideal fuel for future fusion reactors. According to Boris Glazkov, Deputy General Director of Roscosmos, just a spoonful of this isotope could provide enough energy to warm the Earth for an entire year.

The program is built around a strict timeline for automatic stations. For long-term settlement or the operation of industrial mining machinery, a stable and continuous energy source is essential, which cannot rely on the unpredictable conditions of space. A small nuclear reactor, functioning on the principle of fission, is seen as the only viable solution to this challenge. It can provide a stable megawatt power supply regardless of day or night, ensuring heating systems protect sensitive electronic components from extreme temperatures.

Russia's 2036 space strategy marks a clear shift in focus from low Earth orbit research to building an industrial nuclear economy in outer space. Despite facing significant technical and budgetary challenges, Russia's commitment to pursuing nuclear space technology demonstrates its determination to maintain its status as a space superpower, ready for the next wave of human colonization of space.