China and Russia sign a Memorandum of Understanding Regarding Cooperation for the Construction of the International Lunar Research Station
03/09/2021

On March 9, Zhang Kejian, the administrator of China National Space Administration (CNSA), and Rogozin, the General Manager of State Space Corporation “Roscosmos” (ROSCOSMOS), signed the 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 (ILRS). CNSA and ROSCOSMOS will adhere to the principle of “co consultation, joint construction, and shared benefits”, facilitate extensive cooperation in the ILRS, open to all interested countries and international partners, strengthen scientific research exchanges, and promote humanity’s exploration and use of outer space for peaceful purpose.

The ILRS is a comprehensive scientific experiment base with the capability of long-term autonomous operation, built on the lunar surface and/or on the lunar orbit that will carry out multi-disciplinary and multi-objective scientific research activities such as the lunar exploration and utilization, lunar-based observation, basic scientific experiment and technical verification.

Within the framework of creation of the ILRS, China and Russia will use their experience in space science, R&D and use of space equipment and technology to jointly formulate a road map for the construction of the ILRS, and carry out the close collaboration on planning, demonstration, design, development, implementation and operation of the ILRS, including the promotion of the project to the international space communities.

China and Russia have been committed to cooperation in the fields of space technology, science and applications. They had signed the Agreement between China National Space Administration (the People’s Republic of China) and State Space Corporation “Roscosmos” (the Russian Federation) On Cooperation within the Framework of Coordination of the Chang’e-7 Chinese Mission and Luna-Resurs-1 Russian Orbital Spacecraft (OS) Mission, and the Agreement between China National Space Administration (the People’s Republic of China) and State Space Corporation “Roscosmos” (the Russian Federation) On Cooperation for the Establishment of the United Data Center for Exploration of the Moon and Outer Space, actively promoting the cooperation in the field of lunar and deep space exploration.