Beijing – China, a nation with aspirations to ascend to the status of a space superpower by 2030, has now extended an olive branch of international cooperation in a pivotal lunar mission. As the clock ticks towards establishing a permanent lunar habitat at the moon’s south pole, China’s National Space Administration (CNSA) has invited countries and international organizations to participate in its uncrewed Chang’e-8 mission. This groundbreaking announcement was made at the 74th International Astronautical Congress in Baku, Azerbaijan, on Monday.
The CNSA’s proposal extends beyond mere token involvement. It encompasses what they refer to as “mission-level” projects, granting China and its global partners the unprecedented opportunity to jointly launch and manage spacecraft, engage in spacecraft-to-spacecraft interactions, and embark on collaborative lunar surface exploration. This endeavor represents a significant stride toward international cooperation in the realm of lunar exploration.
Furthermore, international partners are encouraged to “piggyback” on the Chang’e-8 mission and independently deploy their own modules once the Chinese spacecraft safely lands on the lunar surface. Interested parties must formally submit a letter of intent to CNSA by December 31, with the final selection of proposals scheduled for September 2024.
The Chang’e-8 mission is poised to follow the Chang’e-7 in 2026, both missions sharing the common goal of searching for valuable lunar resources at the moon’s south pole. This foundational groundwork is integral to China’s overarching objective: the establishment of the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) under Beijing’s leadership by the 2030s.
China, having previously dispatched an uncrewed probe on the Chang’e-5 mission in 2020, is steadfastly advancing its lunar ambitions. Plans are in place for an uncrewed Chang’e-6 probe to land on the far side of the moon in the first half of 2024, with the primary mission being the retrieval of lunar soil samples. China’s grand vision includes sending astronauts to the moon by 2030.
This ambitious timeline aligns with NASA’s Artemis program, a more audacious and technologically advanced endeavor that aims to return U.S. astronauts to the lunar surface by December 2025, barring any unforeseen setbacks. Artemis 3, scheduled for 2025, is poised to see two U.S. astronauts touchdown on the lunar south pole, marking a historic first in human exploration. The Artemis program also envisions Artemis 4 and 5 missions in 2027 and 2029, respectively.
It is noteworthy that NASA is legally prohibited from collaborating with China, either directly or indirectly. However, as of September, 29 countries, including India, a nation that successfully landed a probe near the moon’s south pole in August, have endorsed the Artemis Accords. This international pact, conceived by NASA and the U.S. State Department, aims to establish a set of guidelines for conduct in outer space and on the lunar surface. China and Russia remain notable non-signatories to this agreement.
China’s pursuit of lunar dominance has thus far attracted participation from only Russia and Venezuela in its lunar station program. As China extends its hand to the global community, the landscape of lunar exploration is poised to undergo significant transformation.
By Reuters