Russia-China lunar cooperation迎来 another major development.
According to a May 12 message from Interfax, the Russian State Space Corporation (Roscosmos) and the China National Space Administration (CNSA) signed a memorandum of cooperation on the construction of a lunar nuclear power station on August 8.
The Russian State Space Corporation stated in a press release that the power station will make significant contributions to the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) project led by China and Russia, which is expected to be completed by 2036. The statement also noted that "the station will conduct basic space research and test long-term unmanned operation technologies for ILRS, with the prospect of human existence on the Moon."
Previously, Wu Weiran, chief designer of China's Lunar Exploration Program, told Reuters on April 4 that "one of the important problems facing the International Lunar Research Station is power supply, and Russia has an inherent advantage in this regard. In terms of nuclear power stations, especially launching them into space, Russia leads the world, surpassing the United States."
Wu Weiran also said that past negotiations between the two countries regarding space reactors had made little progress, "I hope that this time the two countries can send a nuclear reactor to the Moon."
Illustration of the China-Russia lunar research station
Pi Zhaoyu, chief engineer of the Chang'e-8 mission scheduled for 2028, added that the energy supply for the lunar base can also rely on large solar panel arrays built on the lunar surface as well as heating, power supply pipelines and cables.
It is worth noting that last year, the Russian State Space Corporation revealed that it was considering cooperating with China to build a nuclear power station on the Moon between 2033 and 2035.
Yuri Borisov, then president of the Russian State Space Corporation, said at the time, "We are seriously considering a project—approximately between 2033 and 2035—to transport and install a power module on the lunar surface together with our Chinese counterparts." Borisov said, "Solar panels cannot provide sufficient electricity for future lunar settlements, but nuclear energy can."
According to previous reports, in July 2020, the space agencies of China and Russia confirmed their cooperation on the International Lunar Research Station; in March 2021, the governments of the two countries signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the Construction of the International Lunar Research Station, initiating the cooperation on the International Lunar Research Station. In April of the same year, the Joint Statement of the China National Space Administration and the Russian State Space Corporation on Cooperation in the Construction of the International Lunar Research Station was released, showing the confidence and determination of the two countries in cooperation on the Moon and deep space exploration.
In accordance with the principle of "overall planning, phased implementation, and simultaneous construction and use," the International Lunar Research Station will be implemented in three phases. It plans to complete the basic version before 2028, conducting lunar environment exploration and resource utilization trials. By 2040, it will complete the improved version, conducting explorations of the Earth-Moon-Sun space environment and scientific experiments, building a Queqiao integrated constellation for navigation, communication, and remote sensing services for manned lunar landing and deep-space explorations such as Mars and Venus. Then, an application-oriented lunar research station will be constructed, gradually upgrading from a research experimental station to a practical, multifunctional lunar base.
Previously, the National Space Administration introduced that China and Russia will jointly construct the International Lunar Research Station with other international partners. The International Lunar Research Station will be another significant contribution made by China and Russia to promote the long-term sustainable development of outer space activities under the United Nations. The China National Space Administration and the Russian State Space Corporation uphold the principle of "joint consultation, joint construction, and shared benefits," promoting extensive cooperation on the International Lunar Research Station and jointly advancing human space technology development and socioeconomic progress.
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Source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7504143320134730250/
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