International Scientific Lunar Station (MNLS)

Main article: The Moon

The International Scientific Lunar Station (MNLS) is a complex created on the surface and/or in orbit of the Moon, designed to carry out multidisciplinary and multi-purpose research work, including the study and use of the Moon, lunar observations, fundamental research experiments, as well as testing technologies with the possibility of long-term unmanned operation with the prospect of human presence on the Moon.

2024: Russia begins development of nuclear power plant for lunar station

On May 8, 2024, it became known about the beginning of the development of a nuclear power plant for the lunar station of Russia and China. This was told by the general director of Roscosmos Iouri Borisov.

Earlier, he said that Russia, together with Chinese partners, is considering the delivery and installation of a nuclear power plant on the lunar surface in 2033-2035. And in April 2024, the head of Rosatom, Alexei Likhachev, said that the corporation had received proposals from Roscosmos for nuclear power plants, including for other planets. Then Likhachev did not disclose the details of the proposed project.

source = Roscosmos

RIA Novosti recalls that within the framework of the Russian-Chinese project on the surface of the moon and in orbit, it is planned to create a set of experimental and research means for multidisciplinary and multi-purpose research work, including the study and use of the Earth's satellite, lunar observations, fundamental research experiments.

According to military expert Alexei Leonkov, the development of a nuclear power plant for the lunar station will make it possible to master the Earth's satellite faster. At the same time, he stressed that we are not talking about the militarization of space.

The first Russian sample has already worked on the moon. It was part of a Chinese moon rover kit that explored the back of the satellite. The Russian energy nuclear plant helped. Now there will be a sequel. Perhaps such installations will become the basis of lunar bases, first automatic, then inhabited, - said Leonkov in a conversation with the publication "Лента.ру."

He added that such bases are needed for the exploration and colonization of space. In particular, manned ships could be launched from a complex on the moon to the frontiers of the solar system in a cheaper way.^[1][2]

2023

The Russian government approved the creation of a lunar station with China

At the end of November 2023, the Russian Government approved a joint project with China to create an International Scientific Lunar Station (MNLS). The Commission of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Russian Federation supported the bill on ratification of the

According to RBC, the Russian-Chinese agreement concluded in November 2022 speaks not only about the creation of the station, but also about the details of the joint exploration of the moon. The main participants in the project are Roscosmos and the Chinese National Space Administration.

MNLS project

First, the lunar missions of the PRC and the Russian Federation will explore the Earth's satellite, determine the location of the station and agree on technologies for a soft landing. Then it is planned to create a station control center and carry out the delivery of goods and orbital modules for life systems.

At the third stage, it is planned to develop the moon, expand the functionality of the modules and assist partners during human landing on the surface of the Earth's satellite. The document says that goods intended for the moon will be exempted from taxes and customs duties.

According to the explanatory note referred to by the publication, the adoption of the agreement "will not entail negative socio-economic, financial and other consequences, including for subjects of entrepreneurial and other economic activity." Funding for the creation of the Luna-Globe and Luna-Resource-1 space complexes will be carried out within the framework of the Russian space program. According to Vladimir Gruzdev, Chairman of the Board of the Russian Bar Association, this agreement will help strengthen Russia's strategic partnership with China.

In October 2023, it became known that the construction of the MNLS could be completed between 2035-2040. The volume of investments in this project by the end of November 2023 was not disclosed.^[3]

Pakistan joins Russian-Chinese lunar station project

The Space and Upper Atmosphere Exploration Commission Pakistan (SUPARCO) has become an official participant in the project of constructions the International Scientific Lunar Station (MNLS). The corresponding China National Space Administration (CNSA) PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA agreement was signed by the head Zhang Kejian and the Pakistani ambassador to Moin ul Haq, who spoke on behalf of SUPARCO, on October 18, 2023. This was announced on October 23, 2023. Roskosmos

Chinese Chief of Government Li Qiang and Acting Prime Minister of Pakistan Anwar ul Haq Kakar also attended the agreement ceremony. CNSA and SUPARCO agreed to carry out wide interaction in the operation of MNLS, as well as training of scientific personnel. In addition, the parties signed a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in the field of space debris control and "space movement" management.

The MNLS project involves the construction of a habitable station on the surface of the moon or in its orbit in the 2030s. The initiative is considered a potential competitor to the Artemis program led by NASA. The main participants in the MNLS project are Russia and China: in March 2021, they signed a memorandum of understanding and cooperation in the creation of a lunar station, and in June of the same year presented a roadmap for the project. The program is also open to other countries ready for joint activities "on equal terms." On October 8, 2023, Azerbaijan joined the project.

Pakistan is already participating in the unmanned expedition of the PRC to explore the moon, which is under development in October 2023. We are talking about the automatic interplanetary station "Chang'e-6," the launch of which is scheduled for mid-2024. The spacecraft will have to land in the area of ​ ​ the South Pole of the natural satellite, Lands take soil samples and deliver them to Earth. As part of this project, Pakistan is working to create the ICUBE-Q cubsat in collaboration with Shanghai Jiaotong University.

For October 2023, SUPARCO has several satellites in orbit, including the PRSS-1 Earth remote sensing satellite built and launched by China in 2018. The experimental PakTES-1A vehicle, produced by SUPARCO, was also launched into orbit using the Chinese Changzheng-2C launch vehicle. Earlier it was reported that CNSA and SUPARCO are working on the signing of a framework agreement on cooperation in the field of human space flights.

The project for the construction of MNLS involves the implementation of five stages in the period from 2031 to 2035. First, a command center, energy and communication infrastructures will be created, then the construction of infrastructure for the study of lunar physics and the collection of samples will begin, at the third stage it is planned to work out technologies for the use of lunar resources right "on the spot," and at the fourth - the development and verification of technologies for biomedical experiments, as well as the collection and return to Earth samples. The final stage involves the construction of infrastructure for lunar astronomy and observations of our planet from the surface of the moon.

Not so long ago, China began to create the ILRSCO organization, which will coordinate the project to build a lunar base. By October, CNSA intends to conclude the remaining agreements and memoranda with space agencies and organizations of other countries. In 2023, documents were signed with the Asia-Pacific Organization for Space Cooperation (APSCO), the Swiss company nanoSPACE AG and the Hawaiian Islands. In addition, CNSA is negotiating agreements with more than 10 more countries and organizations.

Competition in the field of lunar exploration of the PRC and Russia is made up of the United States, which also seeks to increase the number of participants who signed agreements with them as part of the Artemis lunar program. As of October 2023, NASA attracted 28 countries to sign joint agreements, of which Argentina, India and Ecuador joined the project, ^[4].

2021: Russia and China agree on joint exploration of the moon

On March 9, 2021, Russia and China signed a memorandum on the joint development of the moon. The head of Roscosmos Dmitry Rogozin and the head of the Chinese National Space Administration (CNSA) Zhang Kejian, on behalf of governments, agreed on cooperation, within which it is planned to create an international scientific station on the moon or in its orbit.

According to the press service of Roscosmos, within the framework of the project to create MNLS, Russia and China will jointly develop a roadmap for the creation of MNLS, as well as conduct close cooperation in planning, justification, design, development, implementation, operation of the project to create MNLS, including its presentation to the world space community.

Dmitry Rogozin, Director General of Roscosmos State Corporation, and Mr. Zhang Kejian, Head of KNKA, signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the Creation of the International Scientific Lunar Station (MNLS) via videoconference

The document also implies cooperation between the Russian mission with the Luna-Resource-1 orbiter spacecraft (OA) and the Chinese mission to explore the polar region of the Moon Chang'e-7.

The signing of the memorandum is the very first step on the path that will take decades, a source close to Roscosmos told Vedomosti. It is premature to talk about when practical work on the launch of MNLS elements will begin, as well as about its specific configuration, he continues. At the same time, Russia's cooperation with China in the field of space, in contrast to energy or military-technical cooperation, is quite fragmentary, he notes.^[5][6]

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