Leonard David's INSIDE OUTER SPACE

Image credit: CCTV/CGTN/Inside Outer Space screengrab

The celebrated “International Moon Day” on July 20 that marks the 20th century landing of Apollo 11 has also spotlighted China’s proposed lunar base ideas for the 21st century.

Wu Weiren, chief designer of the country’s lunar exploration program, told China Global Television Network (CGTN), that the country welcomes international cooperation.

“We are open and welcome international cooperation from all countries, including those countries from the Global South, emerging BRICS countries, as well as Western countries,” Wu told CGTN, with BRICS nations now involving Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.

Image courtesy U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) in its “2022 Challenges to Security in Space” report.

Share data, results

“We do not have any isolating or exclusionary policies, and we want to cooperate in an all-round way. I think our principle is to share data, share results,” Wu added. “We are willing to co-build and co-share with our partners. We have no intention to establish small circles or groups. Therefore, China’s aerospace and lunar exploration programs, including planetary exploration, are all open to the whole world.”

International research station

Meanwhile, Wu offered an update on the development of the international lunar research station (ILRS).

“The international lunar research station is actually the first large-scale scientific project to be implemented in our country. We are preparing to build a lunar scientific research station at the south pole of the Moon,” said Wu.

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

The ILRS will be combined with an orbital station and a lunar surface station, plus ground facilities such as the headquarters for major scientific projects.

With or without people

“This is being done so that work can continue for a long time, with or without people at the south pole of the Moon. It will enable scientific exploration and resource development,” said Wu.

Wu said the intent is to emplace on the Moon a basic station by 2035, and an extended station by 2045.

“So far, we have signed agreements with more than 10 countries and nearly 30 international research institutions. We hope to work with 50 countries by inviting 500 foreign scientific research institutions, and 5,000 foreign scientific research personnel to jointly build our international lunar scientific research station,” Wu stated.

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