Russia and China to Launch Five Missions for Lunar Station Development

Russia and China are embarking on an ambitious collaboration to establish the International Scientific Lunar Station (ISLS) through five joint missions.

The intergovernmental agreement was announced on the official legal information publication site on Thursday. This agreement outlines a three-phase plan to develop the ISLS, aiming to deploy modules both in lunar orbit and on the Moon’s surface.

In the first phase, the two countries will focus on lunar research through their national missions and practice safe soft landings on the Moon. The second phase will involve joint operations, including cargo deliveries and the creation of modules on the Moon’s orbit and surface. The final phase aims to land humans on the Moon using the fully developed ISLS.

“A total of five missions are planned (ILRS 1 to ILRS 5), which will be determined after the relevant authorities develop and approve further substantiation,” the report said.

China and Russia have been planning this collaboration since 2021. On November 25, 2022, they signed an agreement to jointly develop the ISLS, which took effect on July 18, 2024, and is valid for 20 years. The agreement will automatically renew for five-year periods unless one party notifies the other of its intention to terminate it at least a year before the expiration date.

The ISLS will serve as a comprehensive scientific research base on the lunar surface or in lunar orbit. It will support a range of scientific activities, including exploring lunar resources, conducting observations, performing fundamental experiments, and verifying technical operations.

Yury Borisov, the head of Roscosmos, mentioned that Russia and China plan to expand their lunar activities after 2036, with the aim of installing a nuclear power plant on the Moon between 2033 and 2035.

The project is open to participation from additional countries and international partners. Separate bilateral agreements will be signed with the partners by Roscosmos and the China National Space Administration.

In contrast, the US-led Artemis program involves approximately 40 countries, primarily from the EU and other Western nations. Launched in September 2020, its goals include returning US astronauts to the Moon, establishing a lunar orbital station, and laying the groundwork for potential future colonization efforts.

NASA’s Artemis program focuses on scientific discovery, technological advancement, and the development of skills necessary for living and working on another world, with the ultimate goal of preparing for human missions to Mars. Emphasizing collaboration with commercial and international partners, the program aims to establish a sustained presence on the Moon. Notably, Artemis plans to achieve historic milestones by landing the first woman and the first person of color on the Moon, utilizing innovative technologies to explore more of the lunar surface than ever before.