HELSINKI — Central American state Nicaragua has joined the ILRS moon base program as China continues its push to attract partners for the project.
The China National Space Administration (CNSA) also reached agreements April 24 with the Asia-Pacific Space Cooperation Organization, headquartered in Beijing, and the Arab Union for Astronomy and Space Sciences. The agreements were reported by Chinese state media.
The parties will engage in various aspects such as engineering implementation, operation, and application of the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS). Details of how ILRS members will engage in the project are likely to be determined with the formal establishment of a coordinating organization.
The backdrop for the 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 ILRS envisions constructing a permanent lunar base in the 2030s, with precursor missions in the 2020s. These include Chang’e-7 around 2026 and the later Chang’e-8 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 its economic and technological constraints. It does however utilize space technologies and data, engages in regional and other space activities and fora, and is a signatory to the Outer Space Treaty.
China and Russia formally announced the joint ILRS project in St. Petersburg, Russia, in June 2021. Venezuela, Pakistan, Azerbaijan, Belarus, South Africa and
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