The document was signed by Chairman of the Presidium of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus Vladimir Gusakov and Head of the Chinese National Space Administration Zhang Kejian
MINSK, October 23. /tass/. Belarus has joined the joint Russian-Chinese project for the construction of an International Scientific Lunar Station (ISS). This was reported to TASS by the press service of the Belarusian National Academy of Sciences (NAS).
"Today, on October 23, 2023, the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus and the Chinese National Space Administration (CNSA) signed a joint declaration on cooperation on the International Scientific Lunar Station (ISS). The document was signed by Chairman of the Presidium of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus Vladimir Gusakov and head of the Chinese National Space Administration Zhang Kejian," the message reads.
Within the framework of the declaration, the parties plan to develop cooperation in the process of creating and operating MNLS in the fields of space application technology and technologies, new materials and electronic component base, training and advanced training of scientific personnel and specialists. "By mutual agreement, the parties can determine other areas of cooperation," the NAS noted.
During the videoconference, Zhang Kejian noted the need to intensify activities to develop joint projects and involve the Belarusian side in Chinese deep space exploration programs. He expressed readiness to visit Belarus to get acquainted with the results of the research of Belarusian specialists in the field of space technologies and invited the head of the National Academy of Sciences to China in order to study the achievements of Chinese scientists and specialists in the space field. "Following the results of the video meeting, an agreement was reached today on the development of a roadmap for cooperation between the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus and the Chinese National Space Administration on specific scientific and technical projects within the framework of the creation and operation of the International Scientific Lunar Station," the press service of the National Academy of Sciences informed.
Earlier, China announced its plan for the construction of the MNLS, which involves three main stages. The basic model of the lunar station will be completed by 2028 and will be used to explore the lunar surface and test the main systems and equipment of the mission. It is planned that by 2040, when scientists will make a number of new discoveries about the nature of the Sun, Moon and Earth, the station will be further improved. Among the possible improvements is the development of a constellation of artificial satellites for future manned moon landing and deep space exploration missions.
In March 2021, the People's Republic of China and Roscosmos signed a memorandum of understanding and cooperation in the field of creating MNLS. During the implementation of the lunar program, automatic stations "Chang'e-6", "Chang'e-7" and "Chang'e-8" will go to the Earth's natural satellite. The purpose of the first lunar missions will be to test key technologies, which will allow the construction of a complex of experimental research facilities that can be controlled remotely in the future. The first mission will go to the moon in 2026, and the project is planned to be completed by 2028.
Pakistan, the UAE, South Africa, the Asia-Pacific Space Cooperation Organization, Azerbaijan and the Swiss company Nano-SPACE have previously joined the project for the construction of the MNLS.