China and Russia have formally invited other nations to collaborate on their ambitious lunar research station, with initial activities slated to start as early as 2025.
In March, leaders from the Chinese and Russian space agencies signed a pact to establish a Moon-based research facility. This outpost will enable multidisciplinary research on lunar exploration and resource utilization, positioning it as a direct counterpart to the U.S.-led Artemis program's lunar installations.
As detailed in our prior coverage, the new space race pits NASA and its allies against China and Russia, who are eyeing an exit from the International Space Station by 2025.
Here's what we know about this pivotal project: China and Russia have extended official invitations to other countries and organizations to participate across all phases—from planning to development.
The call was issued during a side event at the 58th session of the UN's Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space Scientific and Technical Subcommittee (COPUOS) on April 23.
More specifics emerged at China's sixth annual Space Day in Nanjing on April 24.
Phase one focuses on site selection near the lunar South Pole via probes, including China's Chang'e-6 and Chang'e-7 missions, and Russia's Luna 25, 26, and 27. Notably, Chang'e-6—set to return lunar samples—will carry a radon detector from Toulouse's IRAP.
Phase two, scheduled 2026-2030, deploys China's Chang'e-8 and Russia's Luna 28 to the site, initiating robotic construction.
Human missions arrive in phase three (2030-2035), leveraging China's Long March 9 heavy-lift rocket. A sustained human presence at the South Pole is targeted for 2036-2045.
