SCIO press conference on 'China's Space Program: A 2021 Perspective' white paper
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E-mail China.org.cn, January 30, 2022
Xing Huina:
Due to time constraints, we will have one last question.
Global Times:
Just now, Mr. Wu and Mr. Liu mentioned the ILRS project jointly launched by China and Russia. Could you further elaborate on this project? Also, how will the follow-up work be carried out? Thank you.
Wu Yanhua:
Thank you. It was reported that in March 2021, the Chinese and Russian governments signed a memorandum of understanding on the cooperation of the ILRS. In April, China and Russia's aerospace authorities issued a joint statement. In June, the two sides jointly released a roadmap and a guide for the ILRS, inviting all interested countries, international organizations, and partners to cooperate in the project. Just now, Mr. Liu introduced that the ILRS was proposed in 2016, and many countries around the world are also responding to it. In general, like the Antarctic and Arctic research stations, we tend to build a scientific experiment base at the lunar south pole in the future and build scientific research facilities in lunar orbit and on the lunar surface that can carry out multi-disciplinary and multi-objective scientific research activities.
First, China and Russia launched the ILRS based on their respective lunar exploration plans. The goal of the fourth phase for the Chinese lunar exploration program is to build a basic model of an international lunar scientific research station. We will use the next five years to conduct exploration before setting up a lunar research station, which are the objectives of China's Chang'e-6 and Chang'e-7 missions. Russia has other relevant arrangements. It will take us another 10 years or so to complete the construction of facilities. Like building a small town, a lunar research station must be equipped with energy, communication, navigation, long-distance transportation, lunar-earth round-trip capabilities, and ground support systems. There must also be a life support system if there are to be people in the station in the future. China and Russia also welcome the participation of international counterparts. I think these systems are future-oriented, which means that our plans for 2035 will focus on these tasks. After 2035, various countries and organizations will conduct scientific expeditions on the moon in stages according to their plans.
Second, China and Russia will sign an intergovernmental agreement. We have been negotiating in full swing and reached a consensus, which is expected to be signed as soon as possible this year. The Chinese and Russian space authorities will officially release the declaration on constructing an international lunar research station and publish the construction principles and purposes to the international community. Generally speaking, at all stages, at all levels of construction, including systems, sub-systems, and facilities, and in terms of sharing research data and space-ground support system, we have set no limits and welcome the world to join in its construction. The missions led by China and Russia are also open to cooperation, providing opportunities for other countries to participate and share scientific research data.
That's all for my answer to this question. Thank you.
Xing Huina:
Due to time constraints, today's press conference is concluded here. Thanks to all speakers and journalists.
Wu Yanhua:
Thank you, friends from the media, for your concern, encouragement, and support for China's aerospace industry, as well as your promotion of aerospace knowledge. Thank you all!
Translated and edited by Xu Xiaoxuan, Zhang Liying, He Shan, Zhou Jing, Zhang Jiaqi, Chen Xia, Liu Jianing, Wang Wei, Wang Yanfang, Li Huiru, Liu Qiang, Zhang Rui, Liu Sitong, Zhu Bochen, Yang Xi, Wang Yiming, Lin Liyao, Zhang Junmian, Jay Birbeck, and Tom Arnstein. In case of any discrepancy between the English and Chinese texts, the Chinese version is deemed to prevail.
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