China's Deep Space Exploration Lab (DSEL) has taken a giant leap towards lunar collaboration by signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Moon Village Association (MVA). The agreement, inked on July 17, marks the beginning of a partnership aimed at constructing an international research laboratory on the moon.
At the signing ceremony, DSEL Director Wu Weiren and MVA President Giuseppe Reibaldi expressed their enthusiasm for the collaboration. Reibaldi highlighted the mutual benefits of partnering with China to advance the development of an international lunar research station and its associated projects.
Wu, also the chief designer of China's ambitious lunar exploration program, shared the nation's recent achievements in moon missions and outlined the plans for the upcoming international lunar research station. The meeting was further enriched by the presence of Dumitru-Dorin Prunariu from MVA's advisory council and Jan Kolar, MVA Vice President. Both acknowledged China's strides in deep space exploration and extended their congratulations to DSEL.
Since its inception in Vienna in 2017, the Moon Village Association has been a beacon for international collaboration in lunar exploration and settlement. Recognized by the United Nations, the MVA's mission aligns perfectly with China's growing ambitions in space.
China's lunar exploration has been making headlines, especially with the Chang’e-6 mission returning the first-ever lunar samples from the moon's far side. This breakthrough, achieved in June, paves the way for future missions like Chang’e-7 in 2026, which aims to land near the moon's south pole to search for water. Looking ahead to 2028, the Chang’e-8 mission will focus on establishing the core structure of the international lunar research station, setting the stage for comprehensive lunar environmental studies and resource utilization experiments.
By 2030, China plans to achieve its first manned lunar landing, stepping into a new era of space exploration. The long-term vision extends to 2040, with the goal of developing a fully equipped international lunar research station. This hub will facilitate in-depth scientific experiments and the exploration of the sun-Earth-moon space environment. Additionally, plans are in place for an \"applied lunar research station,\" envisioned as a multi-functional base to support a variety of lunar activities.
As China continues to push the boundaries of space exploration, partnerships like the one with the Moon Village Association are crucial. They signify a commitment to international cooperation and the shared goal of expanding humanity's presence on the moon.
Reference(s):
China signs MOU with Moon Village Association on moon research lab
cgtn.com
