China and Russia have said they will build a lunar research station, possibly on the moon’s surface, marking the start of a new era in space cooperation between the two countries. A statement posted on the website of the China National Space Administration said the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) would also be open to use by other countries, but gave no timeline for its construction. #China and @UNOOSA signed a declaration on international space cooperation - researchers from countries all over the world will be able to use the China Space Station. 🌌 🚀 🛸 https://t.co/zalczln7Pg pic.twitter.com/cJJpdwvOCx — Mission of China (@ChinaEUMission) June 20, 2018The station would be “built on the lunar surface and/or on the lunar orbit that will carry out … scientific research activities such as the lunar exploration and utilisation, lunar-based observation, basic scientific experiment and technical verification,” the statement said. Russia is a participant in the International Space Station but its space programme has been somewhat eclipsed by those of China, the US, India and others.

Source: Irish Independent March 10, 2021 08:35 UTC