As governments and investors look toward the Moon as the next economic frontier, a critical question is emerging: will the lunar surface have the energy infrastructure to sustain continuous operations?
According to a recent assessment by PwC, the Moon economy could generate $127.3 billion in revenues by 2050. At the same time, NASA is revising and delaying elements of its Artemis Moon landing program, adding a preparatory commercial lander test in Earth orbit in 2027 before sending astronauts back to the lunar surface. While transportation challenges have captured headlines, some experts argue that the real bottleneck may be far less visible – and far more fundamental.
“Reliable surface energy is still one of the biggest gaps on the Moon,” says Mihails Ščepanskis, CEO of Deep Space Energy.
The 14-Day Problem No One Can Ignore
Solar power is widely viewed as a cornerstone of future lunar operations. PwC’s report highlights solar energy systems as a priority technology for enabling economic growth on the Moon. But the lunar environment presents an unforgiving reality: one lunar night lasts approximately 14 Earth days.
During that period, solar panels produce no energy. Meanwhile, temperatures can plunge below –170°C, forcing missions to consume additional power simply to keep equipment and batteries warm enough to function.
Relying solely on massive battery systems to bridge those long nights would dramatically increase payload weight – and mission costs. “Any long-term operation on the Moon must have reliable solarless power generation to survive lunar night without blowing up the budget,” Ščepanskis explains.
Nuclear Bases Won’t Solve Everything
To address the energy gap, major powers are turning to nuclear fission. NASA and the U.S. Department of Energy have committed to developing a lunar surface fission reactor by 2030. Russia has also signaled ambitions for a nuclear-powered lunar station in the mid-2030s.
Large reactors could power fixed lunar bases. But according to Ščepanskis, that still leaves a major vulnerability.
“There is no grid on the Moon,” he says. “A reactor can support infrastructure at a base, but lunar rovers and scouting missions operating far from fixed installations must carry their own reliable power source.”
Mobility, he argues, is essential to unlocking the Moon’s economic potential. Resource exploration, site assessment, and prospecting missions will require vehicles capable of traveling long distances – often during extended darkness – without access to a stationary power hub.
No Gas Stations in Space
Ščepanskis compares the situation to driving across the American frontier before fuel infrastructure existed. “Imagine you appear in the Wild West era with a car, but there are no fuel stations. Once you run out of fuel, the vehicle becomes useless,” he says. “The Moon presents a similar situation.”
This is where compact, non-solar energy systems come into play.
Deep Space Energy is developing radioisotope-based power systems designed specifically for mobility. Unlike traditional thermoelectric generators used on deep space probes, the company employs a modified Stirling-based conversion system with a simplified thermo-acoustic architecture. By reducing moving parts to a single piston and eliminating the need for a resonator, the design aims to increase conversion efficiency by up to five times.
Higher efficiency is not just a technical milestone – it is a supply chain necessity. Space-grade radioisotope fuel is scarce and expensive. Generating more electricity from the same quantity of material could significantly expand the number of missions that can be supported.
The system is designed to use Americium-241 sourced from commercial nuclear waste, potentially easing constraints in isotope availability.
The Real Foundation of a Lunar Economy
If PwC’s $127 billion forecast is to become reality, experts say energy planning must evolve beyond launch vehicles and landing systems.
Solar arrays may power daytime operations. Nuclear reactors may anchor permanent bases. But sustained exploration – and the commercial activity that depends on it – could hinge on compact, self-contained power systems capable of surviving the lunar night.
“The Moon economy won’t run on transportation alone,” Ščepanskis concludes. “We need a complete energy ecosystem to make sustainable lunar operations possible.”