View source for Astronomy:International Lunar Research Station

{{Short description|Planned international lunar base}}
{{Infobox space program
| name            = International Lunar Research Station (ILRS)
| image           = International Lunar Research Station Members.svg
| caption         = International lunar research station countries map
| country         = * {{flag|China}}
* {{flag|Russia}}
* {{flag|Azerbaijan}}<ref name="CNSA">{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnsa.gov.cn/n6758823/n6758838/c10393280/content.html|title=Azerbaijan joins international lunar research station program|work=CNSA|date=8 October 2023|access-date=8 October 2023|archive-date=4 November 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231104012339/https://www.cnsa.gov.cn/n6758823/n6758838/c10393280/content.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* {{flag|Belarus}}<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-10-23 |title=Belarus, China sign declaration on cooperation on International Lunar Research Station program |url=https://eng.belta.by/society/view/belarus-china-sign-declaration-on-cooperation-on-international-lunar-research-station-program-162788-2023/ |access-date=2023-10-24 |website=eng.belta.by |language=en-EN |archive-date=2023-10-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231023182034/https://eng.belta.by/society/view/belarus-china-sign-declaration-on-cooperation-on-international-lunar-research-station-program-162788-2023/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
* {{flag|Egypt}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnsa.gov.cn/n6758823/n6758838/c10427728/content.html|title=Egypt joins international lunar research station|work=CNSA|date=6 December 2023|access-date=6 December 2023|archive-date=7 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231207180146/https://www.cnsa.gov.cn/n6758823/n6758838/c10427728/content.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* {{Flagicon|Nicaragua}} Nicaragua<ref name=Nicaragua>{{cite web
	| url = https://spacenews.com/nicaragua-signs-up-to-chinas-ilrs-moon-program/
	| title = Nicaragua signs up to China's ILRS moon program
	| last = Jones
	| first = Andrew
	| date = 2024-04-25
	| website = SpaceNews
}}</ref>
* {{Flagicon|Serbia}} Serbia<ref name="Serbia">{{Cite web |last=Jones |first=Andrew |date=2024-05-10 |title=Serbia becomes latest country to join China's ILRS moon base project |url=https://spacenews.com/serbia-becomes-latest-country-to-join-chinas-ilrs-moon-base-project/ |access-date=2024-05-14 |website=SpaceNews |language=en-US}}</ref>
* {{flag|Pakistan}}<ref>{{cite web | url=https://english.news.cn/20231025/197ca42b8ae24ed6b1b4e5fba949fdbc/c.html | title=Pakistan, Belarus join International Lunar Research Station program-Xinhua | access-date=2024-01-10 | archive-date=2024-01-10 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240110180420/https://english.news.cn/20231025/197ca42b8ae24ed6b1b4e5fba949fdbc/c.html | url-status=live }}</ref>
* {{flag|South Africa}}<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.sansa.org.za/2023/09/08/south-africa-joins-chinas-international-lunar-research-station/ |title=South Africa Joins China's International Lunar Research Station |author=South African National Space Agency |date=8 September 2023 |access-date=14 January 2024 |archive-date=17 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231017095815/https://www.sansa.org.za/2023/09/08/south-africa-joins-chinas-international-lunar-research-station/ |url-status=bot: unknown }}</ref>
* {{Flagicon|Thailand}} Thailand<ref>{{Cite web |title=中国与泰国将开展国际月球科研站等航天合作 |url=https://www.cnsa.gov.cn/n6758823/n6758838/c10496980/content.html |access-date=2024-04-05 |website=www.cnsa.gov.cn |archive-date=2024-04-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240405074342/https://www.cnsa.gov.cn/n6758823/n6758838/c10496980/content.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
* {{flag|Venezuela}}<ref>{{cite web | url=https://spacenews.com/venezuela-signs-up-to-chinas-moon-base-initiative/ | title=Venezuela signs up to China's moon base initiative | date=18 July 2023 | access-date=10 January 2024 | archive-date=11 April 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240411233649/https://spacenews.com/venezuela-signs-up-to-chinas-moon-base-initiative/ | url-status=live }}</ref>
* {{flag|Kazakhstan}}
* {{flag|Senegal}}
| purpose         = Crewed lunar exploration and research
| duration        = Reconnaissance: 2021–2025<br>Construction: 2026–2035<br>Utilization: from 2036
}}
The '''International Lunar Research Station (ILRS)''' ({{lang-zh |c=国际月球科研站}}, {{langx|ru|Международная научная лунная станция}}) is a planned [[Astronomy:Moonbase|lunar base]] currently being led by [[Company:Roscosmos|Roscosmos]] and the [[Organization:China National Space Administration|China National Space Administration]] (CNSA). The ILRS will serve as a comprehensive scientific experiment base built on the lunar surface or in [[Astronomy:Lunar orbit|lunar orbit]] that can carry out multi-disciplinary and multi-objective scientific research activities including exploration and utilization, lunar-based observation, basic scientific experiment and technical verification, and long-term autonomous operation. Statements from Roscosmos and CNSA underline that the project will be "open to all interested countries and international partners."<ref>{{cite web |last=Jones |first=Andrew |url=https://spacenews.com/china-russia-enter-mou-on-international-lunar-research-station/ |title=China, Russia enter MoU on international lunar research station |work=SpaceNews |date=9 March 2021 |access-date=12 March 2021 |archive-date=24 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230224231817/https://spacenews.com/china-russia-enter-mou-on-international-lunar-research-station/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-56342311 |title=China and Russia to build lunar space station |work=BBC News |date=10 March 2021 |access-date=13 March 2021 |archive-date=22 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211022205525/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-56342311 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://apnews.com/article/china-russia-build-lunar-research-station-45b749fb68ef65fd31e50d7e038050fe |title=China, Russia agree to build lunar research station |work=Associated Press |date=10 March 2021 |access-date=13 March 2021 |archive-date=10 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211010175147/https://apnews.com/article/china-russia-build-lunar-research-station-45b749fb68ef65fd31e50d7e038050fe |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite tweet |user=roscosmos |number=1405137294076559364 |title=Видеоконцепция создания Международной научной лунной станции |trans-title=Video concept of the creation of the International Lunar Research Station |date=16 June 2021 |access-date=16 June 2021 |language=ru}}</ref> ILRS construction missions are expected to begin after the completion of the [[Astronomy:Chang'e 8|Chang'e 8]] mission in 2028.

== History ==
On 9 March 2021, China and Russia signed a “Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the People’s Republic of China and the Government of the Russian Federation Regarding Cooperation for the Construction of the International Lunar Research Station.”<ref>{{Cite web |author=Pollpeter |first=Kevin |display-authors=0 |title=China-Russia Space Cooperation |url=https://www.airuniversity.af.edu/Portals/10/CASI/documents/Research/Space/2023-05-08%20China%20Russia%20Space%20Cooperation.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240111095944/https://www.airuniversity.af.edu/Portals/10/CASI/documents/Research/Space/2023-05-08%20China%20Russia%20Space%20Cooperation.pdf |archive-date=2024-01-11 |access-date=2024-01-11 |publisher=Air Education and Training Command, United States Air Force}}</ref> On 16 June 2021, [[Company:Roscosmos|Roscosmos]] and the [[Organization:China National Space Administration|China National Space Administration]] (CNSA) held a joint session in St. Petersburg, Russia, on the auspices of the Global Space Exploration Conference (GLEX 2021), dedicated to the presentation of the Roadmap for the creation of the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS). The session was attended by Sergei Saveliev, the Deputy Director General of Roscosmos for International Cooperation and Wu Yanhua, the Vice Administrator of CNSA (remotely). 
Roscosmos and CNSA representatives held consultations on a draft declaration in September 2021, together with experts from Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Malaysia, Thailand and the [[Organization:United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs|UN Office for Outer Space Affairs]]. The talks took place behind closed doors.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://tass.com/science/1343047|title=Russia, China to present lunar station declaration at congress in Dubai late Oct|website=TASS|access-date=2021-09-28|archive-date=2023-10-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231008214704/https://tass.com/science/1343047|url-status=live}}</ref>


In July 2023, China's Deep Space Exploration Laboratory announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding with Swiss company Nano-SPACE for Cooperation on the International Lunar Research Station project.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/nJE1DbhJgeeDRyd8mX7k_w|title=Deep Space Exploration Laboratory and Swiss company Nano-SPACE signed a memorandum of understanding on the cooperation of the International Lunar Research Station|website=weixin|access-date=2023-07-02|archive-date=2023-07-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230703010325/https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/nJE1DbhJgeeDRyd8mX7k_w|url-status=live}}</ref> On the same day, a letter of intent was also signed with the Hawaii-based, non-profit [[Astronomy:International Lunar Observatory|International Lunar Observatory Association]] (ILOA Hawai'i) (which already participated in the Chang'e-3 lander mission) for cooperation on the ILRS initiative, despite earlier restrictions by U.S. Congress limiting American collaboration with the [[Organization:China National Space Administration|China National Space Administration]]. ILRS's lab director Wu Weiren also led in-depth talks with officials from France's Thales Group, which considers the possibility for future cooperation with the Chinese space agency.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-07-07 |title=Western companies drawn to China's lunar research station project |url=https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3226845/western-companies-drawn-chinas-lunar-research-station-project |access-date=2024-05-08 |website=South China Morning Post |language=en}}</ref>

On July 17, 2023, Venezuela formally joined the ILRS initiative, with its [[Organization:Bolivarian Agency for Space Activities|Bolivarian Agency for Space Activities]] signing an agreement with China's CNSA which, among other things, provided China access to Venezuelan ground stations in support of ILRS missions.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Venezuela joins Russian-Chinese lunar station project |url=https://tass.com/science/1648671 |access-date=2024-05-08 |website=TASS}}</ref>

On September 1, 2023, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between Humbulani Mudau, CEO of [[Organization:South African National Space Agency|SANSA]] (the South African National Space Agency), and Chen Xiaodong, Chinese Ambassador to South Africa, acting on behalf of CNSA. The agreement will reportedly see CNSA and SANSA carry out extensive cooperation in the demonstration, implementation, operation and application of the ILRS, as well as training and other areas.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://spacenews.com/south-africa-joins-chinas-moon-base-project/|title=South Africa joins China's moon base project|website=Space News|date=7 September 2023|access-date=2023-09-07|archive-date=2024-04-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240411233657/https://spacenews.com/south-africa-joins-chinas-moon-base-project/|url-status=live}}</ref>

On October 3, 2023, an agreement was signed between China's CNSA and Azerbaijan's Azercosmos regarding the latter's entry into the International Lunar Research Station Program. Azercosmos director Samaddin Asadov signed the agreement at the 74th International Astronautical Conference, held in Baku.<ref name="CNSA"/>

===2024–present===
In April 2024, Thailand and Turkey applied to join the ILRS.<ref>{{cite web|title=Thailand joins China-led ILRS moon base initiative|url=https://spacenews.com/thailand-joins-china-led-ilrs-moon-base-initiative/|website=Space.com|access-date=12 April 2024|date=5 April 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Ling |first=Xin |date=11 April 2024 |title=Nato member Turkey seeks to join China-Russia moon project instead of US-led Artemis programme: reports |url=https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3258624/nato-member-turkey-seeks-join-china-russia-moon-project-instead-us-led-artemis-programme-reports |access-date=11 April 2024 |work=South China Morning Post |archive-date=11 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240411070736/https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3258624/nato-member-turkey-seeks-join-china-russia-moon-project-instead-us-led-artemis-programme-reports |url-status=live }}</ref> Thailand has since joined, but Turkey has not yet officially become a signatory.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Jones |first=Andrew |title=China wants 50 countries involved in its ILRS moon base |date=23 July 2024 |url=https://spacenews.com/china-wants-50-countries-involved-in-its-ilrs-moon-base/ |access-date=30 October 2024}}</ref>

Computer generated renders of the base were first widely shared in April 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-04-30 |title=First Look at China's Plans for a Future Moon Base and City |url=https://www.techeblog.com/china-moon-base-city-ilrs-project/ |access-date=2024-05-05 |website=TechEBlog |language=en-US}}</ref>

In May 2024, it was reported that Russia was considering plans to incorporate nuclear energy towards powering the station.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Reporter |first=Brendan Cole Senior News |date=2024-05-08 |title=Russia reveals new China nuclear moon base details |url=https://www.newsweek.com/russia-china-moon-lunar-base-1898220 |access-date=2024-05-14 |website=Newsweek |language=en}}</ref>

In June 2024, Russia's cooperation was codified into law.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-06-12 |title=Ratification of the Russia-China intergovernmental agreement on cooperation in establishing the International Lunar Research Station|url=http://en.kremlin.ru/acts/news/74254 |access-date=2024-06-17 |website=Kremlin |language=en}}</ref>

==Members==
{|class=wikitable
! Member
! Joined
! Notes
|-
|{{flag|China}}
|16 June 2021
|{{nowrap|Founding member}}
|-
|{{flag|Russia}}
|16 June 2021
|Founding member
|-
|{{flag|Venezuela}}
|17 July 2023
|To provide access to ground stations.
|-
|{{nowrap|{{flag|South Africa}}}}
|{{nowrap|1 September 2023}}
|SANSA, SARAO, FSDA<ref>{Foundation for Space Development Africa |URL=https://developspacesa.org/}</ref>
|-
|{{flag|Azerbaijan}}
|3 October 2023
|
|-
|{{flag|Pakistan}}
|20 October 2023
|
|-
|{{flag|Belarus}}
|23 October 2023
|
|-
|{{flag|Egypt}}
|7 December 2023
|
|-
|{{flag|Thailand}}
|5 April 2024
|
|-
|{{flag|Nicaragua}}
|24 April 2024<ref name=Nicaragua/>
|
|-
|{{flag|Serbia}}
|9 May 2024<ref name="Serbia"/>
|
|-
|{{Flag|Kazakhstan}}
|5 July 2024<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jones |first=Andrew |date=2024-07-05 |title=Kazakhstan joins China's ILRS moon base program |url=https://spacenews.com/kazakhstan-joins-chinas-ilrs-moon-base-program/ |access-date=2024-07-05 |website=SpaceNews |language=en-US}}</ref>
|
|-
|{{Flag|Senegal}}
|5 September 2024<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jones |first=Andrew |date=2024-09-05 |title=Senegal among new members of China's ILRS moon base project |url=https://spacenews.com/senegal-among-new-members-of-chinas-ilrs-moon-base-project/ |access-date=2024-09-05 |website=SpaceNews |language=en-US}}</ref>
|
|-
|}

== Definition and composition ==
ILRS is a complex experimental research facility to be constructed with a possible attraction of partners on the surface and/or in the orbit of the Moon designed for multi-discipline and multi-purpose scientific research activities, including exploration and use of the Moon, Moon-based observation, fundamental research experiments, and technology verification with the capability of long-term uncrewed operation with the prospect of subsequent human presence.<ref name="ilrs-guide">{{Cite book |url=https://www.roscosmos.ru/media/files/mnls.pdf |title=International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) Guide for Partnership |date=17 June 2021 |publisher=CNSA & [[Company:Roscosmos|Roscosmos]] |edition=1.0 |access-date=1 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220822205424/https://www.roscosmos.ru/media/files/mnls.pdf |archive-date=22 August 2022 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== Scientific objectives ===
* Lunar topography, geomorphology, and geological structure
* Lunar Physics and internal structure
* Lunar Chemistry (materials and geoarchaeology)
* Cis-Lunar space environment
* Lunar-based astronomical observation
* Lunar based Earth observation
* Lunar-based biological and medical experiment
* Lunar Resource in-situ utilization

=== Facilities ===
* Cislunar Transportation Facility – supporting round-trip transfers between the Earth and the Moon, including lunar descent, landing, ascent, and return to Earth.
* Long-term Support Facility on Lunar Surface – to consist of various support modules for operations on the lunar surface.
* Lunar Transportation and Operation Facility – to consist of modules for lunar exploration and cargo transportation.
* Lunar Scientific Facility – to support in-orbit and surface experiments
* Ground Support and Application Facility – data center and ground support operations

== Development ==

=== Phase 1: Reconnaissance (2021–2025) ===
Objectives:<ref name="ilrs-guide" />
* Lunar reconnaissance with the planned missions
* ILRS design and selection of site(s)
* Technology verification for a secure high-precision soft landing

==== Planned Missions ====
Most missions that are planned in the [[Astronomy:Reconnaissance satellite|reconnaissance]] era weren't specifically planned for the ILRS, with some being planned in the 1990s.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Luna-Glob |url=http://www.russianspaceweb.com/luna_glob.html |access-date=2022-12-13 |website=www.russianspaceweb.com |archive-date=2022-09-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220915050356/http://www.russianspaceweb.com/luna_glob.html |url-status=live }}</ref> However, their reconnaissance can still prove useful to the overall mission.

===== Chang'e 4 =====
[[Astronomy:Chang'e 4|Chang'e 4]] achieved a [[Engineering:Soft landing (aeronautics)|soft landing]] on the [[Astronomy:Far side of the Moon|far side of the Moon]] after its launch on 7 December 2018, and entering lunar orbit on 12 December as a part of China's [[Astronomy:Chinese Lunar Exploration Program|Chinese Lunar Exploration Program]]. While not specifically made for the Research Station, as it was a backup module for its predecessor, [[Astronomy:Chang'e 3|Chang'e 3]],<ref>Pearlman, Robert Z. (12 December 2018). [https://space.com/42697-china-chang-e-4-moon-rover-lander-toys.html "China's Chang'e 4 Moon Lander and Rover to Touch Down As Toys"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230813192439/https://www.space.com/42697-china-chang-e-4-moon-rover-lander-toys.html |date=2023-08-13 }}. Future US, Inc. Retrieved 15 November 2019.</ref> it helped with Reconnaissance for the mission as a whole, a theme for most reconnaissance missions for the Research Station.

===== Luna 25 =====
[[Astronomy:Luna 25|Luna 25]] was sent to the Moon by [[Company:Roscosmos|Roscosmos]] to deliver 30&nbsp;kg of scientific payloads and instruments to the surface of the Moon. It was not planned specifically for the Research Station, with planning going back to the 1990s. However, this craft crashed on the moon due to an incorrect orbit calculation.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Госкорпорация "Роскосмос" |trans-title=State Corporation Roscosmos |url=https://t.me/roscosmos_gk/10535 |access-date=19 August 2023 |website=Telegram |language=ru |archive-date=19 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230819153320/https://t.me/roscosmos_gk/10535 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Berger |first=Eric |date=19 August 2023 |title=Is Luna 25 alive? Russia says an "emergency situation" has occurred |url=https://arstechnica.com/space/2023/08/russia-seems-to-have-lost-contact-with-its-first-lunar-probe-in-half-a-century/ |access-date=20 August 2023 |website=Ars Technica |language=en-us |archive-date=20 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230820011331/https://arstechnica.com/space/2023/08/russia-seems-to-have-lost-contact-with-its-first-lunar-probe-in-half-a-century/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

On 25 August 2023, Roscosmos Director Yury Borisov, during a meeting with representatives of NPO Lavochkin involved in the development of the mission, stated that consideration was being given to recreating the Luna 25 mission with a possible launch for the second attempt slated to occur in 2025 or 2026.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Госкорпорация "Роскосмос" |trans-title=State Corporation Roscosmos |url=https://t.me/roscosmos_gk/10617?single |access-date=26 August 2023 |website=Telegram |language=ru |archive-date=26 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230826015849/https://t.me/roscosmos_gk/10617?single |url-status=live }}</ref>

====Chang'e 6====
China sent [[Astronomy:Chang'e 6|Chang'e 6]] on 3 May 2024, which conducted the first lunar sample return from [[Astronomy:Apollo (crater)|Apollo Basin]] on the [[Astronomy:Far side of the Moon|far side of the Moon]].<ref name="AJ_FI-20230425">{{cite tweet |author=Andrew Jones |user= AJ_FI |number=1650832520978526208 |title=China's Chang'e-6 sample return mission (a first ever lunar far side sample-return) is scheduled to launch in May 2024, and expected to take 53 days from launch to return module touchdown. Targeting southern area of Apollo basin (~43º S, 154º W) |date=25 April 2023}}</ref> This is China's second lunar sample return mission, the first was achieved by [[Astronomy:Chang'e 5|Chang'e 5]] from the lunar near side 4 years earlier.<ref>{{cite web |last=Jones |first=Andrew |url=https://spacenews.com/chinas-change-6-probe-arrives-at-spaceport-for-first-ever-lunar-far-side-sample-mission/ |title=China's Chang'e-6 probe arrives at spaceport for first-ever lunar far side sample mission |work=SpaceNews |date=10 January 2024 |access-date=10 January 2024}}</ref> It also carried a Chinese rover called ''Jinchan'' to conduct [[Physics:Absorption spectroscopy|infrared spectroscopy]] of lunar surface and imaged Chang'e 6 lander on lunar surface.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Jones |first1=Andrew |title=China's Chang'e-6 is carrying a surprise rover to the moon |url=https://spacenews.com/chinas-change-6-is-carrying-a-surprise-rover-to-the-moon/ |website=SpaceNews |access-date=8 May 2024 |date=6 May 2024 |archive-date=8 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240508193233/https://spacenews.com/chinas-change-6-is-carrying-a-surprise-rover-to-the-moon/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The lander-ascender-rover combination was separated with the orbiter and returner before landing on 1 June 2024 at 22:23 UTC. It landed on the Moon's surface on 1 June 2024.<ref name="AJ_FI-20240601">{{cite web |last=Jones |first=Andrew |url=https://spacenews.com/change-6-lands-on-far-side-of-the-moon-to-collect-unique-lunar-samples/ |title=Chang'e-6 lands on far side of the moon to collect unique lunar samples |work=SpaceNews |date=1 June 2024 |access-date=1 June 2024}}</ref><ref name="segeryu240602">{{cite tweet | author= Seger Yu | user= SegerYu | number= 1797042217804337307 | title= 落月时刻 2024-06-02 06:23:15.861 | language= zh }}</ref> The ascender was launched back to lunar orbit on 3 June 2024 at 23:38 UTC, carrying samples collected by the lander, and later completed another robotic rendezvous and docking in lunar orbit. The sample container was transferred to the returner, which landed in [[Place:Inner Mongolia|Inner Mongolia]] on 25 June 2024, completing China's far side extraterrestrial sample return mission.<ref name="AJ_FI-20240601"/><ref name="segeryu240602">{{cite tweet | author= Seger Yu | user= SegerYu | number= 1797042217804337307 | title= 落月时刻 2024-06-02 06:23:15.861 | language= zh }}</ref> After dropping off the return samples for Earth, the Chang'e 6 (CE-6) orbiter was successfully captured by the Sun-Earth L2 Lagrange point on 9 September 2024, where it left this orbit for a solar orbit in March 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jones |first=Andrew |date=2024-09-10 |title=Chang'e-6 orbiter turns up at Sun-Earth Lagrange point after moon sampling mission |url=https://spacenews.com/change-6-orbiter-turns-up-at-sun-earth-lagrange-point-after-moon-sampling-mission/ |access-date=2024-09-10 |website=SpaceNews |language=en-US}}</ref>
Pakistan sent a lunar orbiter called ICUBE-Q along with Chang'e 6.

===== Luna 26 =====
[[Astronomy:Luna 26|Luna 26]] is a planned lunar polar orbiter. Along with the scientific payload that it would carry, it would allow for a telecom array for landed Russian assets, and Earth. The mission was announced in November 2022, and it has a launch planned for 2027. It will study the lunar surface and perform reconnaissance for the future [[Astronomy:Luna 27|Luna 27]].

{{static row numbers}}
{| class="wikitable static-row-numbers static-row-header-hash" style="font-size:small;"
|+List of missions (Includes potential missions of other partners)
!Date
!Country (Agency)
!Launch vehicle
!Spacecraft 
!Image
!Status
|-
|7 December 2018
|{{flagicon|CHN}} China ([[Organization:China National Space Administration|CNSA]])
|[[Engineering:Long March 3B|LM-3B]]
|[[Astronomy:Chang'e 4|Chang'e 4]]
|[[File:ChangE-4 - PCAM.png|frameless|128x128px]]
|{{Success|Successful}}
|-
|10 August 2023<ref name="tass-20230605">{{cite web |url=https://tass.ru/kosmos/17932551 |title=Запуск первой в истории современной России миссии на Луну запланировали на 11 августа |trans-title=The launch of the first mission to the Moon in the history of modern Russia was scheduled for August 11 |language=ru |date=5 June 2023 |access-date=5 June 2023 |work=TASS |archive-date=5 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230605143827/https://tass.ru/kosmos/17932551 |url-status=live }}</ref>
|{{flagicon|Russia}} Russia ([[Company:Roscosmos|Roscosmos]])
|[[Engineering:Soyuz-2|Soyuz-2.1b]]
|[[Astronomy:Luna 25|Luna 25]]
|128px
|{{no2|Spacecraft failure}}
|-
|3 May 2024
|{{flagicon|China}} China ([[Organization:China National Space Administration|CNSA]])
|[[Engineering:Long March 5|LM-5]]
|[[Astronomy:Chang'e 6|Chang'e 6]]
|
|{{Success|Successful}}
|-
|8 May 2024
|{{flagicon|Pakistan}} Pakistan ([[Astronomy:Space & Upper Atmosphere Research Commission|SUPARCO]])
|[[Engineering:Long March 5|LM-5]]
|ICUBE-Q
|[[File:ICUBE-QAMAR 1.jpg|frameless|128x128px]]
|{{Operational}}
|-
|2026
|{{flagicon|China}} China ([[Organization:China National Space Administration|CNSA]])
|[[Engineering:Long March 5|LM-5]]
|[[Astronomy:Chang'e 7|Chang'e 7]]
|
|{{Planned}}
|-
|2027
|{{flagicon|Russia}} Russia ([[Company:Roscosmos|Roscosmos]])
|[[Engineering:Soyuz-2|Soyuz-2]]
|[[Astronomy:Luna 26|Luna 26]]
|128px
|{{Planned}}
|-
|August 2028
|{{flagicon|Russia}} Russia ([[Company:Roscosmos|Roscosmos]])
|[[Engineering:Soyuz-2|Soyuz-2]]
|[[Astronomy:Luna 27|Luna 27]]
|128px
|{{Planned}}
|}

=== Phase 2: Construction (2026–2035) ===
;Stage 1 (2026–2030)<ref name="ilrs-guide" /><ref name="sn-20210616">{{cite web |last=Jones |first=Andrew |url=https://spacenews.com/china-russia-reveal-roadmap-for-international-moon-base/ |title=China, Russia reveal roadmap for international moon base |work=SpaceNews |date=16 June 2021 |access-date=16 June 2021 |archive-date=3 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231203163540/https://spacenews.com/china-russia-reveal-roadmap-for-international-moon-base/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
* Technology verification for the command center of ILRS
* Lunar sample return
* Massive cargo delivery and secure high-precision soft landing
* Start of joint operations

;Stage 2 (2031–2035)<ref name="ilrs-guide" /><ref name="sn-20210616" />
* Establishment of in-orbit and surface facilities for the ILRS, in preparation for crewed missions

{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:small;"
|+Phase includes two normal missions and five crucial missions
!Missions
!width=350|Objectives
!Date
!Country (Agency)
!Launch Vehicle
!Spacecraft
!Image
!Status
|-
| rowspan="2" |
| rowspan="2" |
|2028
|{{flagicon|China}} China ([[Organization:China National Space Administration|CNSA]])
|[[Engineering:Long March 5|LM-5]]
|[[Astronomy:Chang'e 8|Chang'e 8]]
|
|{{Planned}}
|-
|2030
|{{flagicon|Russia}} Russia ([[Company:Roscosmos|Roscosmos]])
|[[Engineering:Angara A5|Angara A5]]
|[[Astronomy:Luna 28|Luna 28]]
|
|{{Planned}}
|-
! colspan="8" | 5 crucial missions planned for comprehensive establishment of ILRS to complete the in-orbit and surface facilities between 2030 and 2035   
|-
|ILRS-1
|"Establishment of the command center, basic energy, and telecommunication facilities, to satisfy the needs of lunar infrastructure, lunar autonomous operations, and long-term research exploration."<ref name="ilrs-guide" />
|2031
|{{TBA}}
|[[Engineering:Long March 9|LM-9]] or [[Engineering:Yenisei (rocket)|Yenisei]]
|{{TBA}}
|
|{{Planned}}
|-
|ILRS-2
|"Establishment of lunar research and exploration<br>facilities such as lunar physics, geological profiling,<br>lava tube exploration, lunar sample return."<ref name="ilrs-guide" />
|2032
|{{TBA}}
|[[Engineering:Long March 9|LM-9]] or [[Engineering:Yenisei (rocket)|Yenisei]]
|{{TBA}}
|
|{{Planned}}
|-
|ILRS-3
|"Establishment of lunar in-situ resources utilization<br>technology verification facilities."<ref name="ilrs-guide" />
|2033
|{{TBA}}
|[[Engineering:Long March 9|LM-9]] or [[Engineering:Yenisei (rocket)|Yenisei]]
|{{TBA}}
|
|{{Planned}}
|-
|ILRS-4
|"Verification of the general technologies for the lunar<br>biomedical experiment distributes sample collection<br>and return."<ref name="ilrs-guide" />
|2034
|{{TBA}}
|[[Engineering:Long March 9|LM-9]] or [[Engineering:Yenisei (rocket)|Yenisei]]
|{{TBA}}
|
|{{Planned}}
|-
|ILRS-5
|"Establishment of Lunar-based astronomy and earth<br>observation capabilities."<ref name="ilrs-guide" />
|2035
|{{TBA}}
|[[Engineering:Long March 9|LM-9]] or [[Engineering:Yenisei (rocket)|Yenisei]]
|{{TBA}}
|
|{{Planned}}
|}

=== Phase 3: Utilization (from 2036) ===
Objectives:<ref name="ilrs-guide" />
* Lunar research, exploration, and technology verification
* Supporting crewed lunar missions with the completed ILRS
* Expanding and maintaining modules as needed

== See also ==
* [[Social:Politics of outer space|Politics of outer space]]
* [[Astronomy:Space law|Space law]]
* [[Astronomy:Moon Treaty|Moon Treaty]]
* Coordinated Lunar Time
* {{annotated link|Astronomy:Artemis Accords}}
* {{annotated link|Astronomy:Artemis program}}
* {{annotated link|Astronomy:Chinese Lunar Exploration Program}}
* {{annotated link|Astronomy:Luna-Glob}}
* {{annotated link|Astronomy:Moonbase}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
* [https://www.cnsa.gov.cn/english/n6465652/n6465653/c6812150/content.html The program at the CNSA website]

{{Moon colonization}}
{{Moon spacecraft}}

[[Category:Russian lunar exploration program]]
[[Category:Chinese Lunar Exploration Program]]

{{Sourceattribution|International Lunar Research Station}}