Joint Lunar Base Initiative: Russia and China Collaborate on Ambitious Moon Station
Explore the groundbreaking partnership between Russia and China to establish an international lunar research station, advancing space exploration through innovative technology and collaboration.
The ambitious plan aims to complete the lunar station project by 2035.
By the end of 2022, Russia and China are expected to formalize an intergovernmental agreement to advance their cooperation in space exploration. Discussions have been progressing steadily, with both parties reaching consensus on key aspects, according to statements from Wu Yanhua, head of the China National Space Administration (CNSA), as reported by TASS.
The roadmap for the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS), a joint venture between Roscosmos and CNSA, was unveiled at the Global Space Exploration Conference (GLEX-2021) held in Saint Petersburg in June 2021. The phased development of the station was also showcased through an informative video:
The construction of the lunar station is divided into three strategic phases. Up to 2025, the focus will be on reconnaissance and project preparation. This involves launching five spacecraft to the Moon: Russia’s Luna-25, Luna-26, and Luna-27, alongside China’s Chang’e-6 and Chang’e-7, complemented by orbital research complexes. The Chang’e-4 mission, launched in 2018, will also contribute valuable data.
Between 2026 and 2030, the initial construction phase will include missions Luna-28 and Chang’e-8, designed to refine lunar landing technologies, cargo delivery, and the return of lunar soil samples to Earth. Following that, from 2031 to 2035, the second construction phase will focus on deploying infrastructure on the Moon, including research and energy equipment, command centers, communication complexes, and other essential technologies.
Russia and China plan to deploy both technical and scientific lunar rovers, as well as a hopping robot capable of rapid surface traversal. Additionally, several intelligent mini-rovers will conduct detailed surface exploration. Habitation modules will also be established to support short-term crewed missions, facilitating human landings on the lunar surface.
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