The Russian government has disclosed its intentions to develop a new class of small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs) that are intended for use in remote regions of the Earth, as well as in future missions to the Moon, deep space, and orbital infrastructure. Ilya Chekh, Director General of the scientific and technical guild “Frontiers of Science” (Rubezhi Nauki), made the announcement during the Innoprom-2026 International Industrial Forum. He described the project as a major step toward the development of nuclear energy as a practical foundation for humanity’s expansion beyond Earth.
The proposed reactors are designed as standardized modular units that are built in the form factor of a standard maritime shipping container, in contrast to conventional nuclear power plants that necessitate years of construction and extensive supporting infrastructure. According to Chekh, each reactor would produce approximately 170 megawatts of electrical power, which is sufficient to power a small city or even a future lunar settlement. The concept is designed to facilitate transportation, deployment, and mass production, while simultaneously reducing the complexity that has been traditionally associated with nuclear power systems.
From Prototype to Mass Production
The initiative has already advanced beyond the conceptual stage. The reactor’s design has been finalized by a small team of Russian physicists, and the subsequent task is to convert the concept into a serially manufactured product. An ambitious long-term objective was detailed by Chekh: the establishment of industrial production capabilities that are capable of producing one reactor per day.
Although no timeline has been announced for achieving this production rate, the objective is to standardize nuclear reactor manufacturing in a manner similar to the current production of industrial equipment or aircraft. Compact reactors could become economically viable for applications that previously relied on diesel generators or extensive fuel logistics as a result of this approach, which could significantly reduce costs and deployment times in comparison to conventional nuclear facilities.
Designed for Earth and Beyond
Although the project’s space ambitions garnered the most attention, its potential terrestrial applications are equally significant.
Russia expects that these modular reactors will provide electricity to isolated Arctic settlements, mining operations, scientific stations, and remote oil and gas fields in areas where the extension of conventional power grids is either technically impossible or prohibitively expensive. The Arctic continues to be a strategic priority for Russia, and the maintenance of infrastructure in extreme climates is contingent upon the availability of reliable, high-capacity energy sources.
Nevertheless, the potential for transformation is even more profound when one considers the universe beyond Earth. Compact nuclear reactors have the potential to supply continuous power to lunar bases, orbital stations, deep-space exploration vehicles, and long-duration scientific expeditions that are inaccessible to solar energy due to their distance from the Sun or longer periods of darkness. Nuclear systems are particularly appealing for future human settlements beyond Earth due to their ability to provide stable electricity regardless of environmental conditions.
The containerized design also enables the reactors to be transported using existing heavy-lift cargo systems, thereby reducing the complexity of deployment in comparison to conventional nuclear installations. Engineers propose that the energy requirements of a specific mission or settlement can be met by connecting multiple reactor modules to build scalable power plants.
Supporting Russia’s Nuclear Space Ambitions
The announcement is in alignment with Russia’s overarching strategy of incorporating nuclear technology into future space exploration.
The preliminary design phase of the Nuklon nuclear-powered transport and energy complex was completed, as confirmed by Roscosmos Director General Dmitry Bakanov earlier this year. The project is a component of the Zeus nuclear space tug program, which is designed to develop spacecraft that can transport massive payloads throughout the Solar System using nuclear power, rather than relying on conventional chemical propulsion.
The Arsenal Design Bureau and Roscosmos executed a preliminary design contract for Nuklon in December 2020, which was valued at over 4.17 billion rubles. It is expected that the spacecraft will integrate electric propulsion with a nuclear reactor, thereby achieving a significantly higher level of efficiency for long-distance missions than traditional rocket systems. This technology has the potential to facilitate the repeated transportation of cargo between Earth, the Moon, Mars, and other destinations without necessitating the development of new spacecraft for each mission.
While the Nuklon transport system and the recently announced modular reactors are distinct, both projects serve as indicators of Russia’s growing commitment to nuclear technologies as a foundation for future space exploration.
International Cooperation and Lunar Bases
Chekh proposed that these compact reactors could facilitate international scientific collaboration in addition to Russian missions. He observed that these power systems could potentially be used in collaborative projects that involve countries such as the United States and China for the exploration of deep space.
The concept is consistent with the increasing global interest in the establishment of permanent lunar infrastructure in the 2030s. One of the most significant engineering challenges for any sustained presence on the Moon is the provision of reliable power. Nuclear reactors provide a dependable solution that can operate during the two-week-long nights on the Moon, during which solar panels are unable to generate electricity.
Russian officials have previously suggested that nuclear power will likely be a critical component of the support for future lunar research facilities, and Russia and China are already collaborating on the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS). Continuous electrical power will be required for the operation of life-support systems, scientific laboratories, communications, resource extraction equipment, and future industrial processes on the lunar surface.
Russia’s Nuclear Engineering Advantage
Chekh expressed his conviction that Russia could be the first nation to implement this new generation of modular nuclear reactors. He claims that the project has already attracted investors and industrial partners who are willing to provide funding for its development and commercialization.
Russia has a history of decades of experience in the design of compact reactors for remote energy applications, submarines, floating nuclear power plants, and nuclear-powered icebreakers. This comprehensive engineering expertise establishes a robust technological foundation for the adaptation of nuclear systems to the distinctive requirements of space exploration.
The development of fast-neutron reactors, floating nuclear power stations, and compact marine propulsion systems has been facilitated by the country’s leadership in advanced reactor technologies. These accomplishments provide Russian engineers with valuable experience in the construction of dependable reactors that can operate under severe environmental conditions with minimal maintenance. These qualities are equally critical for future space missions.
A Strategic Technology for the Future of Space
Before serial production can be realized, there are many engineering, regulatory, and safety obstacles to overcome. The ambitious objective of producing one reactor per day will necessitate big industrial investment. In order to deploy these reactors for civilian or space applications, they will also require extensive testing, certification, and operational validation.