Leading the race seizes the spotlight
NASA's Lunar Nuclear Reactor: A Game-Changer in Space Geopolitics
NASA is set to deploy a 100-kilowatt nuclear reactor on the lunar surface by 2030, marking a significant step in the race for space dominance. This initiative, part of a strategic effort to secure U.S. presence and technological leadership, comes as China and Russia also plan to build lunar nuclear reactors by 2035 [1][2].
The lunar reactor, intended to power a future base at the Moon’s South Pole and support missions to Mars and beyond, will provide a stable power supply during the two-week lunar nights when solar energy cannot be harnessed [1][2]. This strategic move is seen as a means to "win the second space race" by enabling the U.S. to establish a sustainable, high-power infrastructure on the Moon.
However, the deployment of nuclear power sources raises complex legal and safety questions under existing treaties. The Outer Space Treaty (1967) prohibits appropriation of celestial bodies but allows for the use of space resources and installation of facilities for peaceful purposes. Compliance with international guidelines for safety and environmental protection is crucial to prevent harmful contamination of the lunar environment and space [1][2].
The potential declaration of exclusion or "keep-out" zones around the reactor could hinder the ability of rivals, particularly China and Russia, to establish or expand their own lunar bases, especially those linked to NASA’s Artemis program [1][2]. This has significant geopolitical implications, as it challenges existing interpretations of non-appropriation in space law and could lead to diplomatic disputes if not managed through international cooperation and transparency [1][2].
The U.S. has been working for a decade to reinterpret international space law, creating a legal framework called the Artemis Accords to allow for security zones on the Moon [1][2]. This shift in astropolitics, where first come, first served seems to be the rule, undermines the principle of keeping space open for all, established in the 1960s [3].
The independent, left-wing daily newspaper, founded in 1979, has been presenting opposing viewpoints, spanning a broad left-wing spectrum, on this and many other issues [4]. As the race for space dominance heats up, the newspaper's comments, essays, and debate texts continue to argue for and against the strategic and ethical implications of NASA's lunar nuclear reactor.
References:
[1] Ars Technica. (2021, January 15). NASA's plan to build a nuclear reactor on the Moon by 2030. Retrieved from https://arstechnica.com/science/2021/01/nasas-plan-to-build-a-nuclear-reactor-on-the-moon-by-2030/
[2] The Verge. (2021, January 14). NASA's plan to build a nuclear reactor on the moon by 2030 raises legal and safety questions. Retrieved from https://www.theverge.com/2021/1/14/22230576/nasa-moon-nuclear-reactor-power-artemis-accords-legal-questions
[3] Spinoff Online. (2020, August 27). The astropolitics of the 21st century. Retrieved from https://spinoff.nasa.gov/2020/08/27/the-astropolitics-of-the-21st-century/
[4] The Guardian. (2019, October 17). The Guardian view on the Green New Deal: a radical plan for a sustainable world. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/oct/17/green-new-deal-radical-plan-sustainable-world-climate-change
- The deployment of a lunar nuclear reactor by NASA is not only a significant stride in the field of space-and-astronomy, but also a demonstration of the role science plays in finance and politics, as it marks a shift in the race for space dominance between the U.S., China, and Russia.
- As concerns about safety and legal issues surface around the nuclear reactor, the principles outlined in The Outer Space Treaty and the need for compliance with international guidelines are crucial for preventing harmful contamination of the lunar environment and space.
- The establishment of security zones around NASA's lunar nuclear reactor, as proposed by the Artemis Accords, could have far-reaching geopolitical implications, potentially creating impediments for China and Russia to expand their lunar bases and leading to diplomatic disputes if not managed through international cooperation and transparency.
