The Russian space agency, Roscosmos, and China National Space Administration (CNSA) have signed a memorandum of understanding for the creation of the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS).
They made it public during a virtual meeting on March 9, with Zhang Kejian and Dmitry Rogozin, the heads of the space agencies CNSA and Roscosmos, respectively.
At the moment, not much information about the lunar station of China and Russia has been released.
It is a complex of experimental research facilities created on the surface and/or in the orbit of the Moon, designed to carry out multidisciplinary and multipurpose research work, including the exploration and use of the Moon, lunar observations, experiments of fundamental research and technology verification, with the possibility of a long-term unmanned operation and with the prospect of a human presence on the Moon, Roscosmos said in a statement.
Both space agencies will promote cooperation in the creation of an open access system for all interested countries and international partners, “with the objective of strengthening cooperation in research and promoting the exploration and use of outer space for peaceful purposes in the interests of all humanity.”
Meanwhile, NASA also plans to develop its own station around the satellite, which they have dubbed the “Lunar Gateway.” At the moment, they have the support of the Space Agencies of Europe, Japan, and Canada.
