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China turns the moon race upside down! Chinese scientists have found critical flaws in NASA's nuclear reactor that could jeopardize US plans to inhabit the Moon.
The space race is heating up again. The race to build the first lunar base is underway, and this time, China is gaining ground.
Although the United States were victorious in the previous race to the Moon against the Soviet Union, the current scenario is quite different.
NASA, which is leading efforts to inhabit the Moon, has faced a new challenge from China.
Chinese scientists have discovered flaws in a crucial element of the US lunar program: the power source.
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NASA's Lunar Reactor
NASA, through the Artemis Accord, is leading the space race with its partners, with the goal of creating a permanent base on the Moon.
On the other hand, China, together with Russia and some allies, is moving forward with the development of the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS).
This station, which will begin operating in 2036, is expected to be home to thousands of scientists.
On the Moon, the situation is a little different. A lunar night lasts 14 Earth days, which means that solar energy will not be enough to ensure energy supply.
To this end, NASA developed a small nuclear reactor, the Fission Surface Power (FSP), designed to operate in extreme conditions on the lunar surface.
This fission reactor was created to generate 40 kW of energy, but the solution found by NASA is not perfect.
China finds flaws in NASA project
Researchers from China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) analyzed NASA's design and identified critical flaws.
A study published in the journal Atomic Energy Science and Technology exposed these vulnerabilities, focusing on the composition of the nuclear fuel, the cooling system and the safety control of the American reactor.
Although the FSP reactor is compact and efficient, Chinese scientists warn of a major design flaw.
The use of highly enriched uranium cylindrical rods requires thick layers of beryllium as protection.
This can control the intense radiation, but it also limits the reactor's lifespan to about eight years due to fuel swelling caused by radiation.
Furthermore, NASA's reactor has a simple control mechanism, which makes it less safe in critical situations.
It was against this backdrop that Chinese scientists began working on an improved version of the lunar reactor.
The Chinese Lunar Nuclear Reactor
Based on NASA's design and an old Soviet reactor, the TOPAZ-II, Chinese scientists have come up with a superior design.
This new, more efficient and safer version features several improvements over NASA's reactor.
Ring-shaped fuel rods
Instead of using solid cylinders, the Chinese reactor uses ring-shaped fuel rods.
Inside these rings, small pellets of uranium dioxide are covered by stainless steel.
This innovative design allows the heat generated by the nuclear reaction to be dissipated more efficiently, using both the inside and outside of the ring for cooling.
Dual cooling system
Another major advance in the Chinese reactor is its cooling system, which uses a liquid metal called NaK-78.
This metal flows through the internal and external channels of the annular fuel rods, keeping the reactor temperature below 600°C.
This significantly improves the safety and stability of the reactor.
More efficient neutron moderator
Furthermore, the Chinese project uses a more efficient neutron moderator: yttrium hydride (YH1.8).
This material, responsible for slowing down neutrons, improves the nuclear reaction and makes the process more efficient.
Compared to traditional moderators such as zirconium hydride, yttrium hydride is more stable, preventing dangerous hydrogen leaks and extending reactor life.
Less nuclear fuel needed
The Chinese reactor design also has an important advantage: it requires less nuclear fuel.
While NASA's reactor needs about 70 kg of uranium-235, the Chinese reactor uses just 18,5 kg of the material.
This weight reduction is not only a cost savings, but also a necessity in space missions, since nuclear materials need to be launched from Earth.
China's advantage in the moon race
With these improvements, the Chinese reactor becomes up to 75% more efficient than the NASA model.
Furthermore, its lifespan is 10 years, while NASA's reactor has a limited lifespan of eight years.
These improvements could put China ahead of the United States in establishing a self-sustaining lunar presence.
The constant power provided by a nuclear reactor will be essential to sustain inhabited bases on the Moon for a long period of time.
What can the US do now?
Although the Chinese reactor is more efficient, the design of the NASA It is not definitive or closed.
Just as China learned from NASA's project, the US can benefit from Chinese research to improve its own lunar reactor.
Furthermore, this collaboration in space research could influence the development of small modular reactors (SMRs) for use on Earth.
It's interesting how space innovations often result in technologies that end up being applied in other sectors.
Do you think China can overtake the United States in the space race, or can NASA's project be improved to achieve leadership in lunar exploration?
