Lunar station mission possible with global cooperation

Editor's Note: The International Lunar Research Station is a comprehensive scientific experimental facility proposed by China. To be jointly built by multiple international partners, it will comprise facilities on the moon, in lunar orbit and on Earth. What does the blueprint of the ILRS look like? How will global cooperation on the station benefit humanity? Ren Xiaoqiang, a researcher at China's Deep Space Exploration Laboratory, spoke to Chinanews.com to answer these questions. Below are excerpts from the interview. The views don't necessarily represent those of China Daily.

The ILRS will enable Earth-moon transportation, scientific exploration, frontier technology verification and other large-scale multidisciplinary technological activities. The station will have long-term autonomous operations with short-term crewed participation, and will be expandable.

Currently, the main objectives of lunar exploration missions around the world are scientific discoveries and the utilization of lunar resources. These missions carry out extensive exploration activities through long-term stays on the moon. A combination of government support and the participation of both traditional aerospace and emerging space enterprises help these missions.

The scientific objectives of the ILRS include lunar geology, lunar-based astronomical observations, observation of the solar system, lunar-based fundamental science experiments and lunar in-situ resource utilization.

With the continuous advancement of global space technology and the deepening of international collaboration, developing the ILRS is no longer just a vision, but an inevitable step toward humanity's exploration of the mysteries of the universe and peaceful use of outer space. As a major spacefaring nation, China has the responsibility to provide a platform for scientists and colleagues from all over the world to cooperate and exchange ideas.

The ILRS is a large-scale project, and China will work with partner countries, organizations and institutions to jointly design and build the station, and share the achievements and progress. Together with international partners, China will carry out a joint demonstration of the scientific and application objectives, as well as the site selection on the moon's surface.

The ILRS will be built in two phases. By 2035, a base station will be established in the south pole region of the moon. It will have a stable energy supply, high-speed communication, high-precision navigation and positioning, intelligent transportation and will be manned.

By 2045, a more complete ILRS will be established, with a regular Earth-moon round-trip transportation system in place, enabling in-situ construction, resource development, and technological experimentation. This will lay the foundation for humanity's future journeys into deeper space.

Over the next decade, China aims to seek cooperation with 50 countries or organizations, 500 research institutions and 5,000 scientists from across the world to join the ILRS as partners in this global project.

China has already proposed six major cooperation initiatives for the ILRS. These include peaceful development and utilization, extensive consultation and joint construction, diverse forms of cooperation, shared scientific achievements, protection of lunar resources, and the establishment of a cooperative organization. China welcomes international partners to participate in the design and construction of the ILRS at all stages of the project and in all mission programs.

To promote international cooperation on the ILRS, China plans to establish an international cooperation committee, build an international cooperation headquarters with partner countries and actively create favorable conditions for the international partners.