Russia and China expand lunar research station to more nations

Russia and China are expanding the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) to include more international partners. Originally a bilateral agreement between Roscosmos and the China National Space Administration, the project has evolved into a multilateral platform.

Currently, 13 states are involved, including China, Russia, Venezuela, South Africa, Azerbaijan, Pakistan, Belarus, Egypt, Thailand, Nicaragua, Serbia, Kazakhstan, and Senegal. Efforts are underway to develop a joint data center for the Moon and deep space, which will initially consist of Russian and Chinese segments but is designed to accommodate third-party participation.

This expansion includes critical infrastructure for the storage, processing, and distribution of scientific data regarding lunar geology, radiation, plasma, and communications. By sharing this data, participating nations gain access to the technological ecosystem being built around future lunar missions.