China and Russia say they will build a lunar research station, possibly on the lunar surface, marking the beginning of a new era in space cooperation between the two countries
BEIJING – China and Russia have said they will build a lunar research station, possibly on the lunar surface, marking the beginning of a new era in space cooperation between the two countries.
A statement posted on China’s National Space Administration website on Wednesday said the Lunar International Space Station would also be open for use with other countries, but did not provide a timeline for its construction.
He described the project as “a broad scientific evidence base with long-term independent action potential. ”
The station would be “built on the lunar surface and / or lunar orbit that will perform … scientific research activities such as lunar exploration and use, lunar-based observation, basic scientific testing and technical testing,” the statement said.
He said a memorandum of understanding on the project was signed Tuesday by Zhang Kejian, administrator of China’s National Space Administration, and Russia’s Roscosmos space chief Dmitry Rogozin.
China drew heavily on Russian experience in the early years of its space program, but it has largely made its way since launching its first crew mission in 2003. Nevertheless, ships- Shenzhou’s Chinese spacecraft is very similar to Russia’s Soyuz capsules and the CNSA has been working with countries around the world, as well as the U.S. Congress banning almost all communications between NASA and China about concerns about stealing technology and secret nature, with military support, China’s space program.
Russia and China “adhere to the principle of ‘consultation, co-construction, and shared benefits,’ enabling broad cooperation in the ILRS, open to all interested countries and international partners, strengthening scientific research exchanges, and encouraging the study and practice of humanity. of outdoor space for peaceful purposes, “China ‘s statement said.
Russia participates in the International Space Station but its space program has been partially circumscribed by those of China, the USA, India and others. In its latest development, Russia successfully tested the launch of its Angara A5 space rocket for the second time in December after long delays and technical difficulties.
China has planned four crew missions this year to work on their first permanent orbiting space station, which could launch the main model as early as next month.
China has launched two smaller experimental space stations, launched a rover on the other side of the moon in 2019 and has a spacecraft, the Tianwen-1, in a parking orbit around Mars in anticipation of rover on the surface in the coming months. If successful, China would be only the second country after the US launched a spacecraft on Mars.