Chinese scientists on Friday revealed more details about the International Lunar Research Station (ISIL), a joint project with Russia that aims to “study the evolution” of the Moon and “search for another planet suitable for humans.”
The station, which is being developed by the Chinese and Russian space agencies, is expected to be operational in 2035.
The project aims to study lunar evolution to build a detailed structural module of the interior of Earth’s natural satellite, Zou Yongliao, director of the deep space and lunar exploration division of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, told a conference in press, quoted by the official newspaper.Chinese Global Times.
Scans will also be carried out from the future station to learn more about stellar formation and activity, Zou explained, adding that the project also hopes to answer the question of whether humanity is alone in the Universe.
“The Moon is the main field of space exploration,” the expert said, noting that building ISIL is “a must.”
From the base, basic scientific experiments will also be carried out, such as “studies on the growth and development of plants in the lunar environment.”
Beijing plans to complete construction of ISIL’s basic structure around 2028, using the future Chang’e 6, 7 and 8 lunar probes, Chinese space program scientists said recently.
The basic structure contains lunar landers, probes, a power system, communication infrastructure, and a life support system.
Last year, China announced the approval of the fourth phase of its lunar exploration program, which includes the construction of this scientific exploration base on the south pole of the Moon, together with Russia.
Building a base at the moon’s south pole has the advantage that the solar panels that power the station enjoy more hours of sunlight than anywhere else on the moon.
After signing the cooperation agreement with Russia in 2021, the head of China’s lunar exploration program Wu Weiren said that if the “lunar research station project can be successfully implemented, China will not be far from achieving a manned landing.” on the moon”.
The Chang’e program (named after a goddess who, according to Chinese legend, lives on the Moon) began with the launch of a first probe in 2007.
In recent years, Beijing has made significant investments in the space program and has achieved milestones such as the successful landing of a probe on the far side of the Moon in January 2019, an achievement that no country had achieved before.
Source: TSF
