Leonard David's INSIDE OUTER SPACE

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China has approved the fourth phase of its lunar exploration program, a phase that includes building an International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) at the south pole of the Moon.

“The fourth phase of the project is mainly to make several landings at the south pole of the Moon. After landing, a model lunar scientific research station will be built at the south pole of the Moon. It will be implemented in three missions, for instance Chang’e-6, Chang’e-7 and Chang’e-8. The timeline is set before 2030. At present, the research work is progressing smoothly,” said Wu Weiren, chief designer of China’s lunar exploration program.

Mosaic of the lunar south pole from images acquired by ESA’s Small Missions for Advanced Research in Technology (SMART-1) that flew 2003-2006.
Credit: ESA

Lunar series

According to China Central Television (CCTV), Chang’e-7 is targeted for the south pole of the Moon first.

Since Chang’e-6 is a backup of Chang’e-5 sample-return mission, it will be launched after Chang’e-7 to rocket back one to two kilograms of samples from the lunar south pole.

Chang’e-6 mission will be followed by Chang’e-8, a step toward building a basic lunar scientific research station.

The Chang’e-8 mission will test numerous technologies to make use of lunar resources, from producing oxygen to fabricating structures using 3D printing technology.

Landing leg of Chang’e-5 lander.
Credit: CNSA/CLEP

“Chang’e-7 is mainly for the survey of lunar resources, such as water, the environment and climate, topography and landform of the lunar south pole,” Wu added. “For Chang’e-8, we hope to analyze and study the existence of resources on the spot, which will lay the foundation for long-term work on the Moon in the future. So the utilization of resources is particularly important.”

Transfer outpost

Wu said that the construction of the ILRS before 2035 will lay a solid foundation to better explore the lunar environment and resources.

Wu said the ILRS will be outfitted with rovers, landers and hoppers, adding that the station would also serve as a transfer outpost for missions into deep space, utilizing Moon-produced rocket fuel.

Artist’s view of China/Russia International Lunar Research Station to be completed by 2035. Credit: CNSA/Roscosmos

“Governments of China and Russia are working closely on the ILRS agreements and have basically reached a consensus, and the agreement will hopefully be signed later this year,” said Wu Yanhua, China National Space Administration deputy head. “After that, a joint declaration on the project will be announced to the world by the national space agencies of the two countries,” Wu told the Global Times at a press conference for the issue of the fifth edition of China Space white paper in January.

Video available at: https://youtu.be/ITA2gZfnSWM