""We are currently developing a new energy system where nuclear energy can provide high-power and long-time supply."" by Fantine Gardinier via sputniknews Leading the charge in a new generation of lunar exploration has been the China National Space Administration (CNSA), which has dispatched several probes to the moon from its Chang'e series. They have explored the far side of the moon and sent back the first lunar soil samples in 40 years. The Chinese space program is working on a new type of nuclear power plant to be used to power a permanent base on the moon, which China hopes to build before the decade is out, the head of China's lunar exploration effort told Chinese media on Tuesday. Wu Weiren, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and the chief designer of the Chang'e program, revealed on China Central Television (CCTV) that the next several Chang'e spacecraft, Chang'e 6, 7, and 8, will lay the groundwork for the future International Lunar Research Station (ILRS)