HELSINKI — Nicaragua, a Central American country, has joined the ILRS moon base program. This decision comes as China is seeking partners for the project.
The China National Space Administration (CNSA) also made deals on April 24 with the Asia-Pacific Space Cooperation Organization, which is based in Beijing, and the Arab Union for Astronomy and Space Sciences. These agreements were reported by Chinese state media. reported The parties will be involved in various aspects such as engineering, implementation, operation, and application of the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS). Details of the involvement of ILRS members are likely to be determined with the formal establishment of a coordinating organization.
The backdrop for this development was the first “China-Latin America and Caribbean Countries Space Cooperation Forum” in Wuhan, Hubei province. Wuhan is also hosting a China Space Conference, April 24-26, as part of the country’s national space day event. APSCO, an intergovernmental organization with members including agencies from Bangladesh, China, Iran, Mongolia, Pakistan, Peru, Thailand, and Turkey, is understood to have previously committed to joining the ILRS..
The China-led project envisions building a permanent lunar base in the 2030s, with precursor missions in the 2020s. These include Chang’e-7 around 2026 and the later in-situ resource utilization technology test mission. Both multi-spacecraft missions will target the lunar south pole.
Nicaragua becomes the 10th country to join the ILRS. Nicaragua’s space-related activities are limited due to economic and technological constraints. However, it does utilize space technologies and data, engages in regional and other space activities and fora, and is a signatory to the Outer Space Treaty.
The China-led project envisions constructing a permanent lunar base in the 2030s, with precursor missions in the 2020s. ILRS Nicaragua becomes the 10th country to join the ILRS. Nicaragua joins the project to build a permanent lunar base in the 2030s. Nicaragua will participate in precursor missions in the 2020s, including Chang’e-7 around 2026 and the in-situ resource utilization technology test mission. Chang’e-8 The ILRS project will include missions targeting the lunar south pole.
Nicaragua becomes the 10th country to join the ILRS.
China and Russia formally announced the joint ILRS project in St. Petersburg, Russia, in June 2021. Venezuela, Pakistan, Azerbaijan, Belarus, South Africa joined in 2023. and Egypt Another country signed up early this month. Thailand China has also invited a number of organizations, universities, and companies to join ILRS. attracted The trend of countries signing up for the ILRS reflects a wider Chinese diplomatic focus on the Global South.
The University of Sharjah of the UAE is a member, while the UAE itself is an Artemis signatory and involved in the Gateway. New partners have been announced for the south pole mission.CNSA also announced new participants in the Chang’e-7 mission to the lunar south pole, which is set for 2026.
CNSA also announced new participants in the Chang’e-7 mission to the lunar south pole.
There will be six international payloads from seven countries and international agencies involved in the Chang’e-7 mission to the lunar south pole. These countries and agencies are Egypt, Bahrain, Italy, Russia, Switzerland, Thailand, and the International Lunar Observatory Association (ILOA). Italy’s involvement will be a passive laser retro-reflector, also aboard the lander. A similar instrument will be on the Chang’e-6 mission due to launch May 3.
ILOA, already part of the ILRS, recently had a demonstration astronomical payload aboard Intuitive Machines’ Nova-C lander. touched down on the moon in February. That landing mission was supported by NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program. ILOA will also install a telescope on the Chang’e-7 lander.
The Egyptian Space Agency and the Bahrain National Space Science are collaborating to develop a hyperspectral imager, while the Physical Meteorological Observatory Davos (PMOD) is working on a moon-based dual-channel Earth Radiation Energy Spectrometer. The National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand (NARIT) will develop a space weather global monitoring system. All of these will be placed on the Chang’e-7 orbiter. Chang’e-7 will contain an orbiter, a lander, a rover, and support from , as well as a mini-flying probe. The mission will focus on the Shackleton crater near the lunar south pole.
Nicaragua has joined the ILRS moon base program as China continues its effort to attract partners for the project.
Chang’e-7 will feature an orbiter, a lander, a rover, support from Queqiao-2, and a mini-flying probe. The mission will target Shackleton crater near the lunar south pole.
