Recently, China and Russia have been working together to create a lunar research station. This would be the first space project between these countries. China and Russia both have organizations similar to NASA, Russia- Roscosmos, and China National Space Administration. The two countries are planning to develop the ILRS or “International lunar research Station”, and once the station is developed, all countries will have access to use it.
The station is planned to be built on the lunar surface, and “will carry out activities such as lunar exploration and utilization, lunar-based observation, basic scientific experiment, and technical verification”. Russia announced this plan just as NASA has been trying to get back to the moon since the last of the Apollo landings was in 1972. NASA has constructed a back-to-the-moon program known as Artemis, which also requires a site on the lunar surface. Artemis was pushed during the Trump administration, and they promised they would have the first woman and next man to the moon by 2024, but some expect a later date under President Biden.
Since the collapse of the USSR, Russia has engaged in only cooperative efforts in space. While Russia and the US have had a long history when it comes to space exploration, China quickly put together their space program. However, China has already launched astronauts, constructed its own Earth Orbiting Station, and launched a sample return mission to the moon. Multiple countries are advancing in space exploration, but unlike the past, it is being done cooperatively rather than competitively. What do you think of this lunar space station?
https://www.npr.org/2021/03/10/975579975/china-russia-announce-plan-to-build-moon-research-station
Hi Diana,
ReplyDeleteWhile I think this advancement is cool, I do not support Russia or China. Both of the countries threaten America and try to belittle us. China has Uighur Muslims in concentration camps right now so I don't really commend them for anything to be honest. But the space station is nice.