Russia plans to build a lunar base together with China

This intention became known after the order of the Russian Government was published, according to which Roskosmos was instructed to sign with the Chinese side a memorandum on the development and creation of a lunar base.

Why do we need an alliance with China

Historically, Russia has rather strained relations with both Europe and America. At the moment, of course, we are participating in the international project on the ISS, but it (the station) is already close to its closure. And, perhaps, it will soon be closed.

Further prospects for cooperation between the West and Russia are rather vague, therefore, an active search for new partners for future space projects is already underway.

So China is the main alternative. And, as it became known, Russia intends to sign a memorandum with the Celestial Empire on the creation of a lunar base.

In addition, Roscosmos was given the opportunity to also make minor adjustments that will not introduce critical changes to the future agreement.

At the moment, it is not yet precisely known whether we are talking about an orbiting lunar station or a full-fledged base on the lunar surface. But at the same time, experts point out that recently Chinese scientists have demonstrated their concept of the ILRS station, which is supposed to be located at the south pole of our satellite.

Rapprochement in space exploration between Moscow and Beijing began relatively recently. This is how the intentions of constructing lunar joint bases were discussed last year.

And what about the exploration of the moon in China and Russia now?

Specialists of the Celestial Empire are already carrying out their lunar program. So on November 23 last year, China launched its Chang'e-5 return ship to the Moon. This is China's first return mission and the first in the world since 1967, when the Soviet Luna-24 reentry station was launched.

In addition, Chinese engineers are quite successfully developing their version of a new generation spacecraft, and the prototype was launched back in May last year.

Russia, however, has yet to carry out a series of tests of its promising new generation spacecraft, which is known as the Eagle. Presumably, the first launch of the Russian device will take place only in the middle of this decade.

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