International Lunar Research Station

International Lunar Research Station (ILRS)
International lunar research station countries map
Program overview
Country
PurposeCrewed lunar exploration and research
Program history
DurationReconnaissance: 2021–2025
Construction: 2026–2035
Utilization: from 2036

The International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) (Chinese: 国际月球科研站, Russian: Международная научная лунная станция) 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] ILRS construction missions are expected to begin after the completion of the Chang'e 8 mission in 2028.

  1. ^ "Azerbaijan joins international lunar research station program". CNSA. 8 October 2023. Archived from the original on 4 November 2023. Retrieved 8 October 2023.
  2. ^ "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.
  3. ^ "Egypt joins international lunar research station". CNSA. 6 December 2023. Archived from the original on 7 December 2023. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
  4. ^ Jones, Andrew (2024-04-25). "Nicaragua signs up to China's ILRS moon program". SpaceNews.
  5. ^ Jones, Andrew (2024-05-10). "Serbia becomes latest country to join China's ILRS moon base project". SpaceNews. Retrieved 2024-05-14.
  6. ^ "Pakistan, Belarus join International Lunar Research Station program-Xinhua". Archived from the original on 2024-01-10. Retrieved 2024-01-10.
  7. ^ 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.
  8. ^ "中国与泰国将开展国际月球科研站等航天合作". www.cnsa.gov.cn. Archived from the original on 2024-04-05. Retrieved 2024-04-05.
  9. ^ "Venezuela signs up to China's moon base initiative". 18 July 2023. Archived from the original on 11 April 2024. Retrieved 10 January 2024.
  10. ^ 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.
  11. ^ "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.
  12. ^ "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.
  13. ^ @roscosmos (16 June 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.