Russia and China say anyone will be able to use their south pole Moon base for 'peaceful' science and exploration
(2021/03/16)
- Reference: 1615895232
- News link: https://www.theregister.co.uk/2021/03/16/russia_and_china_ilrs/
- Source link:
Russia and China have signed an agreement to collaborate on the construction of an International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) on the Moon's south pole.
The Memorandum of Understanding [1]stated that China National Space Administration (CNSA) and Russia's State Space Corporation (Roscosmos) would work together to consult, construct, operate, and promote the ILRS as a comprehensive scientific experiment base.
[2]
The two countries promised to share knowledge and tools, and the document said the station would be open to all "interested countries" engaged in science research and peaceful space exploration.
Researchers expect to find that the Moon's south pole has 180 consecutive days of light, which is convenient for those who may end up staying long term to carry out the scientific research. Potentially, the sunlight could also be harvested to power equipment.
[3]
While the south pole makes for a difficult landing spot, it is predicted to have better environmental conditions than other locations, said Wu Weiren, the chief designer of China's Lunar Exploration Program, in a [4]news article on the government's website.
It is also, notably, the most [5]most thoroughly (robotically) investigated region on the Moon.
It is not yet decided if the ILRS will be located on the Moon's surface or in orbit.
The Chinese Lunar Exploration Program has four stages, of which three have almost been completed: orbiting the Moon in 2007 and 2010, soft landing and [6]deploying a rover in 2013 and 2019, and [7]retrieval of lunar samples in late 2020.
A final phase-three mission with Chang'e 6 is slated to collect a south pole lunar sample in 2023 or 2024.
[8]
For phase four, Chang'e 7 is planned in 2024 to create a detailed survey of the Moon's south pole resources and test key technologies needed for the ILRS build. Chang'e 8, which is estimated to launch in 2027, will verify the resources and may include landers, rovers, and 3D equipment to test-build the base. ®
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[1] http://www.cnsa.gov.cn/english/n6465652/n6465653/c6811380/content.html
[2] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_offbeat/science&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=2&c=2YFDkKxLBMnJo67VjgDUC4wAAAAA&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D2%26raptor%3Dcondor%26pos%3Dtop%26test%3D0
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[4] http://english.www.gov.cn/news/topnews/202103/14/content_WS604da72cc6d0719374afad02.html
[5] https://www.nasa.gov/feature/moon-s-south-pole-in-nasa-s-landing-sites
[6] https://www.theregister.com/2021/01/05/chinas_change_4_moon_probe_third_year/f
[7] https://www.theregister.com/2020/12/17/change5_china_moon_samples/
[8] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_offbeat/science&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44YFDkKxLBMnJo67VjgDUC4wAAAAA&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[9] https://whitepapers.theregister.com/
The Memorandum of Understanding [1]stated that China National Space Administration (CNSA) and Russia's State Space Corporation (Roscosmos) would work together to consult, construct, operate, and promote the ILRS as a comprehensive scientific experiment base.
[2]
The two countries promised to share knowledge and tools, and the document said the station would be open to all "interested countries" engaged in science research and peaceful space exploration.
Researchers expect to find that the Moon's south pole has 180 consecutive days of light, which is convenient for those who may end up staying long term to carry out the scientific research. Potentially, the sunlight could also be harvested to power equipment.
[3]
While the south pole makes for a difficult landing spot, it is predicted to have better environmental conditions than other locations, said Wu Weiren, the chief designer of China's Lunar Exploration Program, in a [4]news article on the government's website.
It is also, notably, the most [5]most thoroughly (robotically) investigated region on the Moon.
It is not yet decided if the ILRS will be located on the Moon's surface or in orbit.
The Chinese Lunar Exploration Program has four stages, of which three have almost been completed: orbiting the Moon in 2007 and 2010, soft landing and [6]deploying a rover in 2013 and 2019, and [7]retrieval of lunar samples in late 2020.
A final phase-three mission with Chang'e 6 is slated to collect a south pole lunar sample in 2023 or 2024.
[8]
For phase four, Chang'e 7 is planned in 2024 to create a detailed survey of the Moon's south pole resources and test key technologies needed for the ILRS build. Chang'e 8, which is estimated to launch in 2027, will verify the resources and may include landers, rovers, and 3D equipment to test-build the base. ®
Get our [9]Tech Resources
[1] http://www.cnsa.gov.cn/english/n6465652/n6465653/c6811380/content.html
[2] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_offbeat/science&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=2&c=2YFDkKxLBMnJo67VjgDUC4wAAAAA&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D2%26raptor%3Dcondor%26pos%3Dtop%26test%3D0
[3] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_offbeat/science&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=3&c=33YFDkKxLBMnJo67VjgDUC4wAAAAA&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D3%26raptor%3Deagle%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[4] http://english.www.gov.cn/news/topnews/202103/14/content_WS604da72cc6d0719374afad02.html
[5] https://www.nasa.gov/feature/moon-s-south-pole-in-nasa-s-landing-sites
[6] https://www.theregister.com/2021/01/05/chinas_change_4_moon_probe_third_year/f
[7] https://www.theregister.com/2020/12/17/change5_china_moon_samples/
[8] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_offbeat/science&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44YFDkKxLBMnJo67VjgDUC4wAAAAA&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[9] https://whitepapers.theregister.com/
Mike Richards
Anyone got any thoughts what Russia is bringing to the collaboration? A few years ago China needed Russian expertise in things like manned vehicles, spacesuits, cryogenic engines and the like; but they've advanced so quickly it's hard to see what specialist knowledge or capability Russia can bring to the table. Let alone all the scope for delays, endlessly-changing plans and corruption which have eaten the Russian space programme alive and left it a sad, shell of its previous glories.
Anonymous Coward
Shagging.
David Pearce
I don't see how an orbital station is usable. The Moon has no protective magnetosphere, so in a low lunar orbit you would still need massive radiation shielding.
At least on the surface you can dig in
So there will be a Moonbase after all
It will be fascinating to see what problems arise and what solutions will be found - if, of course, they can avoid the Glorious Reporting Of Successful Communist Achievements reporting style.
I'm guessing it's time to sign up. A Moon base is an endevor that not even a billionnaire can achieve alone.