雅思阅读 108: A Nuclear Reactor on the Moon

Adapted from 'Why NASA wants to build a nuclear reactor on the moon', Scientific American, May 2026.

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Reading Passage

Last year, acting NASA administrator Sean Duffy announced that NASA would put a nuclear reactor on the moon, designed, built, flown and delivered to the lunar surface by 2030. To many observers, this sounded wild. Why would anyone want a nuclear reactor on the moon?

The answer is simple. If a nation wants a permanent lunar base that operates through the frigid, lengthy lunar night, solar power will not work. Through its Artemis program, NASA aims to turn the moon into a scientific outpost, mining site and rocket launchpad for Mars. To do that, nuclear power is the sole option. It is the only way we can sustain a lunar base long-term, says Simon Middleburgh of Bangor University.

China and Russia are also teaming up to place their own nuclear reactor on the moon by 2035 to power the International Lunar Research Station at the lunar south pole. Sooner or later, nuclear power on the moon will happen, Middleburgh says. It is inevitable.

Nuclear power plants are safer than many suspect, but putting reactors in space has a checkered history. One notorious reactor caused an international incident in 1978 when it broke apart in Earths atmosphere. No one has ever designed a reactor for the moon, a hostile volcanic desert with extreme temperature swings, frequent asteroid strikes and long quakes.

Experts question the timing and scale. Placing a reactor capable of powering 80 American households on the lunar south pole, where no human has yet set foot, by 2030 sounds rushed. I think the worst-case scenario might be that in the quest to be first we skip important design and safety steps, says Bhavya Lal of RAND. It is good to be first, but we need to do it right.

A lunar nuclear disaster would be, in Middleburghs words, a humanity-defining event. Mistakes could range from contaminating ancient water ice reserves with radioactive waste to fatally stranding astronauts in the lunar darkness without power.

If the U.S. succeeds, its nuclear-powered moon base could become a foothold for exploring the solar system. But the competition between nations raises risks. The lunar south pole holds water ice that could be used for drinking, oxygen and rocket fuel, making it a strategic prize. Whoever powers it first may set the terms for future lunar operations.

Questions 1-5

Choose the correct letter, A, B, C or D.

1. By when does NASA want to deliver a reactor to the moon? A. 2030 B. 2035 C. 2040 D. 2050
2. Why is solar power inadequate on the moon? A. The moon is too close to the sun B. The long, frigid lunar night blocks sunlight C. Solar panels break in space D. The moon has no sunlight at all
3. What is China and Russias lunar project called? A. Artemis B. International Lunar Research Station C. Apollo D. HAMMER
4. What happened in 1978? A. A moon reactor was launched B. A nuclear reactor broke up in Earths atmosphere C. Astronauts landed on the moon D. The moon base was built
5. What warning does Bhavya Lal give? A. Nuclear power is unsafe B. Competition may cause rushed design and skipped safety steps C. The moon has too many asteroids D. Russia will attack

Questions 6-10

Do the following statements agree with the information? Write TRUE, FALSE or NOT GIVEN.

6. The proposed reactor would power about 80 American households.
7. Humans have already walked on the lunar south pole.
8. The moon has extreme temperature swings.
9. Nuclear power on the moon is optional.
10. The lunar south pole contains water ice.

Questions 11-13

Complete the summary. Choose ONE WORD ONLY.

The lunar 11 lasts two weeks and blocks sunlight, making nuclear power necessary. Experts warn that rushing to be 12 may skip safety steps. The lunar south pole holds water 13 that could be used for fuel.

Answers

1. A 2. B 3. B 4. B 5. B
2. TRUE 7. FALSE 8. TRUE 9. FALSE 10. TRUE
3. night 12. first 13. ice

Key Vocabulary

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