China's Next Lunar Missions: Setting the Stage for an International Research Station
The Chinese mainland is gearing up for an ambitious expansion of its lunar exploration program, announcing plans to launch two additional missions following the successful Chang'e-6 mission. These new missions, Chang'e-7 and Chang'e-8, are slated for 2026 and around 2028 respectively, according to the China National Space Administration (CNSA).
Surveying the Lunar South Pole
Chang'e-7 will embark on a mission to survey the environment and resources of the moon's south pole. This area is of particular interest to scientists due to its potential resources and the possibility of finding water ice, which could be crucial for future lunar bases.
Advancing Lunar Resource Utilization
Following closely, Chang'e-8 aims to verify the technologies necessary for the in-situ utilization of lunar resources. This mission is a critical step towards establishing a sustainable presence on the moon, which will culminate in the construction of a basic lunar station model by 2035, as stated by Bian Zhigang, deputy head of the CNSA.
Building the International Lunar Research Station
The construction of the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) will unfold in two phases. The first phase focuses on establishing a basic station model centered on the moon's south pole, designed to conduct scientific research operations within a 100-kilometer radius. This phase will leverage an integrated Earth-moon information network, interconnecting multiple missions including unmanned lunar exploration, manned landings, and fostering international cooperation. The goal is to create a comprehensive scientific lunar research platform equipped with essential functions and capabilities.
Expansion and Future Vision
The second phase aims to expand the construction efforts to establish a comprehensive lunar station network by 2050. This network will utilize the lunar orbit station as its central hub and the south pole station as its focal point, with additional exploration nodes positioned on the lunar equator and the far side of the moon. The envisioned network will form a large-scale scientific research platform that is stable, capable of supporting both long-term unmanned missions and short-term manned missions.
These groundbreaking missions underscore the Chinese mainland's commitment to advancing space exploration and fostering international collaboration in the quest to unlock the moon's mysteries.
Reference(s):
China to launch two more lunar station missions, first in 2026
cgtn.com
