Planned International lunar base
International Lunar Research Station (ILRS)
International lunar research station countries map
|
|
Country
|
|
---|
Purpose
| Crewed lunar exploration and research
|
---|
|
Duration
| Reconnaissance: 2021?2025
Construction: 2026?2035
Utilization: from 2036
|
---|
The
International Lunar Research Station (ILRS)
(
Chinese
:
??月球科?站
) is a planned
lunar base
currently being led by
Roscosmos
and the
China National Space Administration
(CNSA). The ILRS will serve as a comprehensive scientific experiment base built on the lunar surface or in
lunar orbit
that can carry out multi-disciplinary and multi-objective scientific research activities including exploration and utilization, lunar-based observation, basic scientific experiment and technical verification, and long-term autonomous operation. Statements from Roscosmos and CNSA underline that the project will be "open to all interested countries and international partners."
[10]
[11]
[12]
[13]
History
[
edit
]
On 9 March 2021, China and Russia signed a “Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the People’s Republic of China and the Government of the Russian Federation Regarding Cooperation for the Construction of the International Lunar Research Station.”
[14]
On 16 June 2021,
Roscosmos
and the
China National Space Administration
(CNSA) held a joint session in St. Petersburg, Russia, on the auspices of the Global Space Exploration Conference (GLEX 2021), dedicated to the presentation of the Roadmap for the creation of the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS). The session was attended by Sergei Saveliev, the Deputy Director General of Roscosmos for International Cooperation and Wu Yanhua, the Vice Administrator of CNSA (remotely).
Roscosmos and CNSA representatives held consultations on a draft declaration in September 2021, together with experts from
Germany
,
France
,
Italy
, the
Netherlands
,
Malaysia
,
Thailand
and the
UN Office for Outer Space Affairs
. The talks took place behind closed doors.
[15]
In June 2023, two more countries joined the International Lunar Research Station project, the United Arab Emirates and Pakistan, as well as the Asia-Pacific Space Cooperation Organization (APSCO). Malaysia may join in the future.
In July 2023, China's Deep Space Exploration Laboratory announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding with Swiss company Nano-SPACE for Cooperation on the International Lunar Research Station project.
[16]
On the same day, a letter of intent was also signed with the Hawaii-based, non-profit
International Lunar Observatory Association
(ILOA Hawai'i) (which already participated in the
Chang'e-3
lander mission) for cooperation on the ILRS initiative, despite earlier restrictions by U.S. Congress limiting American collaboration with the
China National Space Administration
.
[
citation needed
]
ILRS's lab director
Wu Weiren
also led in-depth talks with officials from France's
Thales Group
, which considers the possibility for future cooperation with the Chinese space agency.
[17]
On July 17, 2023, Venezuela formally joined the ILRS initiative, with its Bolivarian Agency for Space Activities signing an agreement with China's CNSA which, among other things, provided China access to Venezuelan ground stations in support of ILRS missions.
[18]
On September 1, 2023, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between Humbulani Mudau, CEO of
SANSA
(the South African National Space Agency), and Chen Xiaodong, Chinese Ambassador to South Africa, acting on behalf of CNSA. The agreement will reportedly see CNSA and SANSA carry out extensive cooperation in the demonstration, implementation, operation and application of the ILRS, as well as training and other areas.
[19]
On October 3, 2023, an agreement was signed between China's CNSA and Azerbaijan's
Azercosmos
regarding the latter's entry into the International Lunar Research Station Program. Azercosmos director Samaddin Asadov signed the agreement at the 74th International Astronautical Conference, held in Baku.
[1]
In April 2024, Thailand and Turkey applied to join the ILRS.
[20]
[21]
Computer generated renders of the base were first widely shared in April 2024.
[22]
In May 2024, it was reported that Russia was considering plans to incorporate nuclear energy towards powering the station.
[23]
Members
[
edit
]
Definition and composition
[
edit
]
ILRS is a complex experimental research facility to be constructed with a possible attraction of partners on the surface and/or in the orbit of the Moon designed for multi-discipline and multi-purpose scientific research activities, including exploration and use of the Moon, Moon-based observation, fundamental research experiments, and technology verification with the capability of long-term uncrewed operation with the prospect of subsequent human presence.
[24]
Scientific objectives
[
edit
]
- Lunar topography, geomorphology, and geological structure
- Lunar Physics and internal structure
- Lunar Chemistry (materials and geoarchaeology)
- Cis-Lunar space environment
- Lunar-based astronomical observation
- Lunar based Earth observation
- Lunar-based biological and medical experiment
- Lunar Resource in-situ utilization
Facilities
[
edit
]
- Cislunar Transportation Facility ? supporting round-trip transfers
between the Earth and the Moon
, including lunar descent, landing, ascent, and return to Earth.
- Long-term Support Facility on Lunar Surface ? to consist of various support modules for operations on the lunar surface.
- Lunar Transportation and Operation Facility ? to consist of modules for lunar exploration and cargo transportation.
- Lunar Scientific Facility ? to support in-orbit and surface experiments
- Ground Support and Application Facility ? data center and ground support operations
Development
[
edit
]
Phase 1: Reconnaissance (2021?2025)
[
edit
]
Objectives:
[24]
- Lunar reconnaissance with the planned missions
- ILRS design and selection of site(s)
- Technology verification for a secure high-precision soft landing
Planned Missions
[
edit
]
Most missions that are planned in the
reconnaissance
era weren't specifically planned for the ILRS, with some being planned in the 1990's.
[25]
However, their reconnaissance can still prove useful to the overall mission.
Chang'e 4
[
edit
]
Chang'e 4
achieved a
soft landing
on the
far side of the Moon
after its launch on 7 December 2018, and entering lunar orbit on 12 December as a part of China's
Chinese Lunar Exploration Program
. While not specifically made for the Research Station, as it was a backup module for its predecessor,
Chang'e 3
,
[26]
it helped with Reconnaissance for the mission as a whole, a theme for most reconnaissance missions for the Research Station.
Luna 25
[
edit
]
Luna 25
was sent to the Moon by
Roscosmos
to deliver 30 kg of scientific payloads and instruments to the surface of the Moon. It was not planned specifically for the Research Station, with planning going back to the 1990's. However, this craft crashed on the moon due to an incorrect orbit calculation.
[27]
[28]
On 25 August 2023, Roscosmos Director
Yury Borisov
, during a meeting with representatives of NPO Lavochkin involved in the development of the mission, stated that consideration was being given to recreating the Luna 25 mission with a possible launch for the second attempt slated to occur in 2025 or 2026.
[29]
Chang'e 6
[
edit
]
China sent its
Chang'e 6
on 3 May 2024, which will conduct the first lunar sample return from the
far side of the Moon
.
[30]
This is China's second lunar sample return mission, the first was achieved by
Chang'e 5
from the lunar near side 4 years ago. It also carried a chinese rover to conduct
infrared spectroscopy
of lunar surface.
[31]
Pakistan
sent a lunar orbiter called
ICUBE-Q
along with Chang'e 6.
Luna 26
[
edit
]
Luna 26
is a planned lunar polar orbiter. Along with the scientific payload that it would carry, it would allow for a telecom array for landed Russian assets, and Earth. The mission was announced in November 2022, and it has a launch planne for 2027. It will study the lunar surface and perform reconnaissance for the future
Luna 27
.
Phase 2: Construction (2026?2035)
[
edit
]
Stage 1 (2026?2030):
[24]
[33]
- Technology verification for the command center of ILRS
- Lunar sample return
- Massive cargo delivery and secure high-precision soft landing
- Start of joint operations
Stage 2 (2031?2035):
[24]
[33]
- Establishment of in-orbit and surface facilities for the ILRS, in preparation for crewed missions
Phase Includes two normal missions and five crucial missions
Missions
|
Objectives
|
Date
|
Country(Agency)
|
Launch Vehicle
|
Spacecraft
|
Image
|
Status
|
|
|
2028
|
China
(
CNSA
)
|
LM-5
|
Chang'e 8
|
|
Planned
|
2030
|
Russia
(
Roscosmos
)
|
Angara A5
|
Luna 28
|
|
Planned
|
5 crucial missions planned for comprehensive establishment of ILRS to complete the in-orbit and surface facilities between 2030 and 2035
|
ILRS-1
|
"Establishment of the command center, basic energy, and telecommunication facilities, to satisfy the needs of lunar infrastructure, lunar autonomous operations, and long-term research exploration."
[24]
|
2031
|
TBA
|
LM-9
or
Yenisei
|
TBA
|
|
Planned
|
ILRS-2
|
"Establishment of lunar research and exploration
facilities such as lunar physics, geological profiling,
lava tube exploration, lunar sample return."
[24]
|
2032
|
TBA
|
LM-9
or
Yenisei
|
TBA
|
|
Planned
|
ILRS-3
|
"Establishment of lunar in-situ resources utilization
technology verification facilities."
[24]
|
2033
|
TBA
|
LM-9
or
Yenisei
|
TBA
|
|
Planned
|
ILRS-4
|
"Verification of the general technologies for the lunar
biomedical experiment distributes sample collection
and return."
[24]
|
2034
|
TBA
|
LM-9
or
Yenisei
|
TBA
|
|
Planned
|
ILRS-5
|
"Establishment of Lunar-based astronomy and earth
observation capabilities."
[24]
|
2035
|
TBA
|
LM-9
or
Yenisei
|
TBA
|
|
Planned
|
Phase 3: Utilization (from 2036)
[
edit
]
Objectives:
[24]
- Lunar research, exploration, and technology verification
- Supporting crewed lunar missions with the completed ILRS
- Expanding and maintaining modules as needed
See also
[
edit
]
References
[
edit
]
- ^
a
b
"Azerbaijan joins international lunar research station program"
.
CNSA
. 8 October 2023.
Archived
from the original on 4 November 2023
. Retrieved
8 October
2023
.
- ^
"Belarus, China sign declaration on cooperation on International Lunar Research Station program"
.
eng.belta.by
. 2023-10-23.
Archived
from the original on 2023-10-23
. Retrieved
2023-10-24
.
- ^
"Egypt joins international lunar research station"
.
CNSA
. 6 December 2023.
Archived
from the original on 7 December 2023
. Retrieved
6 December
2023
.
- ^
a
b
Jones, Andrew (2024-04-25).
"Nicaragua signs up to China's ILRS moon program"
.
SpaceNews
.
- ^
a
b
Jones, Andrew (2024-05-10).
"Serbia becomes latest country to join China's ILRS moon base project"
.
SpaceNews
. Retrieved
2024-05-14
.
- ^
"Pakistan, Belarus join International Lunar Research Station program-Xinhua"
.
Archived
from the original on 2024-01-10
. Retrieved
2024-01-10
.
- ^
South African National Space Agency (8 September 2023).
"South Africa Joins China's International Lunar Research Station"
.
Archived
from the original on 17 October 2023
. Retrieved
14 January
2024
.
- ^
"中??泰???展??月球科?站等航天合作"
.
www.cnsa.gov.cn
.
Archived
from the original on 2024-04-05
. Retrieved
2024-04-05
.
- ^
"Venezuela signs up to China's moon base initiative"
. 18 July 2023.
Archived
from the original on 11 April 2024
. Retrieved
10 January
2024
.
- ^
Jones, Andrew (9 March 2021).
"China, Russia enter MoU on international lunar research station"
.
SpaceNews
.
Archived
from the original on 24 February 2023
. Retrieved
12 March
2021
.
- ^
"China and Russia to build lunar space station"
.
BBC News
. 10 March 2021.
Archived
from the original on 22 October 2021
. Retrieved
13 March
2021
.
- ^
"China, Russia agree to build lunar research station"
.
Associated Press
. 10 March 2021.
Archived
from the original on 10 October 2021
. Retrieved
13 March
2021
.
- ^
@roscosmos
(June 16, 2021).
"Видеоконцепция создания Международной научной лунной станции"
[Video concept of the creation of the International Lunar Research Station] (
Tweet
) (in Russian)
. Retrieved
16 June
2021
– via
Twitter
.
- ^
Pollpeter, Kevin; et al.
"China-Russia Space Cooperation"
(PDF)
. Air Education and Training Command, United States Air Force.
Archived
(PDF)
from the original on 2024-01-11
. Retrieved
2024-01-11
.
- ^
"Russia, China to present lunar station declaration at congress in Dubai late Oct"
.
TASS
.
Archived
from the original on 2023-10-08
. Retrieved
2021-09-28
.
- ^
"Deep Space Exploration Laboratory and Swiss company Nano-SPACE signed a memorandum of understanding on the cooperation of the International Lunar Research Station"
.
weixin
.
Archived
from the original on 2023-07-03
. Retrieved
2023-07-02
.
- ^
"Western companies drawn to China's lunar research station project"
.
South China Morning Post
. 2023-07-07
. Retrieved
2024-05-08
.
- ^
"Venezuela joins Russian-Chinese lunar station project"
.
TASS
. Retrieved
2024-05-08
.
- ^
"South Africa joins China's moon base project"
.
Space News
. 7 September 2023.
Archived
from the original on 2024-04-11
. Retrieved
2023-09-07
.
- ^
"Thailand joins China-led ILRS moon base initiative"
.
Space.com
. 5 April 2024
. Retrieved
12 April
2024
.
- ^
Ling, Xin (11 April 2024).
"Nato member Turkey seeks to join China-Russia moon project instead of US-led Artemis programme: reports"
.
South China Morning Post
.
Archived
from the original on 11 April 2024
. Retrieved
11 April
2024
.
- ^
"First Look at China's Plans for a Future Moon Base and City"
.
TechEBlog
. 2024-04-30
. Retrieved
2024-05-05
.
- ^
Reporter, Brendan Cole Senior News (2024-05-08).
"Russia reveals new China nuclear moon base details"
.
Newsweek
. Retrieved
2024-05-14
.
- ^
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
i
j
International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) Guide for Partnership
(PDF)
(1.0 ed.).
CNSA
&
Roscosmos
. 17 June 2021. Archived from
the original
(PDF)
on 22 August 2022
. Retrieved
1 December
2022
.
- ^
"Luna-Glob"
.
www.russianspaceweb.com
.
Archived
from the original on 2022-09-15
. Retrieved
2022-12-13
.
- ^
Pearlman, Robert Z. (12 December 2018).
"China's Chang'e 4 Moon Lander and Rover to Touch Down As Toys"
Archived
2023-08-13 at the
Wayback Machine
. Future US, Inc. Retrieved 15 November 2019.
- ^
"Госкорпорация "Роскосмос"
"
[State Corporation Roscosmos].
Telegram
(in Russian).
Archived
from the original on 19 August 2023
. Retrieved
19 August
2023
.
- ^
Berger, Eric (19 August 2023).
"Is Luna 25 alive? Russia says an "emergency situation" has occurred"
.
Ars Technica
.
Archived
from the original on 20 August 2023
. Retrieved
20 August
2023
.
- ^
"Госкорпорация "Роскосмос"
"
[State Corporation Roscosmos].
Telegram
(in Russian).
Archived
from the original on 26 August 2023
. Retrieved
26 August
2023
.
- ^
Andrew Jones [@AJ_FI] (April 25, 2023).
"China's Chang'e-6 sample return mission (a first ever lunar far side sample-return) is scheduled to launch in May 2024, and expected to take 53 days from launch to return module touchdown. Targeting southern area of Apollo basin (~43º S, 154º W)"
(
Tweet
) – via
Twitter
.
- ^
Jones, Andrew (6 May 2024).
"China's Chang'e-6 is carrying a surprise rover to the moon"
.
SpaceNews
.
Archived
from the original on 8 May 2024
. Retrieved
8 May
2024
.
- ^
"Запуск первой в истории современной России миссии на Луну запланировали на 11 августа"
[The launch of the first mission to the Moon in the history of modern Russia was scheduled for August 11].
TASS
(in Russian). 5 June 2023.
Archived
from the original on 5 June 2023
. Retrieved
5 June
2023
.
- ^
a
b
Jones, Andrew (16 June 2021).
"China, Russia reveal roadmap for international moon base"
.
SpaceNews
.
Archived
from the original on 3 December 2023
. Retrieved
16 June
2021
.
External links
[
edit
]
|
---|
American projects
| | |
---|
Soviet and
Russian projects
| |
---|
Chinese and
Russian project
| |
---|
Other projects
| |
---|
Proposed sites
| |
---|
Related
| |
---|
|
|
---|
Exploration
programs
| |
---|
Active
missions
| Orbiters
| |
---|
Landers
| |
---|
Rovers
| |
---|
Flybys
| |
---|
|
---|
Past
missions
| |
---|
Planned
missions
| |
---|
Proposed
missions
| |
---|
Cancelled /
concepts
| |
---|
Related
| |
---|
- Missions are ordered by launch date. Crewed missions are in
italics
.
|