Russia and China are expected to seek partners for their International Lunar Research Station, which is a robotic Moon base, to be built prior to manned missions to the Moon, reports Andrew Jones, space journalist. Roscosmos Deputy Head for International Relations Sergei Saveliev told TASS last week: “We have sent out invitations for cooperation in the international scientific lunar station to a number of our respected partners, including the European Space Agency, for example.” It is expected that the first responses to the invitation are likely to come during the St. Petersburg Global Space Exploration Conference 2021 (GLEX2021) taking place June 14-18.
The Russian and Chinese space agencies have developed a roadmap outlining the steps to be accomplished in each major phase of the project. The overall goal is to have an operating manned base—a long-term presence—at the lunar south pole, in the 2036-2045 time frame.
The first phase will include China’s Chang’e-6 sample-return mission, and Chang’e-7, orbiter, lander, rover, and small surface probe. Russia would launch Luna 25 lander, Luna 26 polar orbiter, and Luna 27 lander. The second phase mainly tests new technologies on the Moon, such as 3-D printing, and a site will be chosen and construction started on the base. In the final phase, multiple missions will be launched by new transportation and the deployment of new infrastructure.