Russian experts have developed a small-sized modular nuclear reactor that can serve deep space exploration missions, put it on orbit, and support research in the Arctic, TASS quoted Mr. Ilya Chekh - General Director of the Borders of Science Research - Engineering Union at the International Forum Innoprom 2026.
Mr. Chekh pointed out that one of the projects being developed by the research group is a mass-produced modular nuclear reactor, with a size equivalent to a standard transport container.
According to him, the goal of the project is to create a breakthrough with small-scale nuclear power but with a power capacity of about 170 megawatts, enough to supply electricity to a small city, even a settlement on the Moon.
Currently, a small group of physicists have completed the initial design of this system. The next stage is mass production, with the optimal goal of building a nuclear reactor every day.
Mr. Chekh said that small module reactors can be used for moon missions, deployed on orbit, serving Arctic research and mining in remote areas, and applied in deep space exploration cooperation programs with China and the United States.
I believe that we will be the first to build this type of reactor. Currently, investors and partners have expressed their willingness to invest capital to develop this field. Historically, the nuclear industry has always been one of Russia's strongest fields. Nuclear power in space is a necessary step for humans to go further into deep space," he said.
