China has detailed a two-phase plan to establish a permanent base on the Moon, with the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) set to be developed near the lunar south pole by 2035. The plan, revealed at the International Deep Space Exploration Conference in Anhui, China, demonstrates the country’s growing ambitions in space exploration.
Collaborative Effort with Russia
The ILRS project, initially announced in 2021 as a joint venture with Russia, involves constructing a series of nodes on the lunar surface and in orbit. The first phase, expected to conclude around 2035, will see the establishment of a robotic moon base. The construction of this initial phase will rely on five super heavy-lift rocket launches between 2030 and 2035.
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Wu Yanhua, chief designer of China’s deep space exploration project, described the ILRS as a “comprehensive lunar station network” that will use a lunar orbit station as its central hub and a south pole station as its primary base. This network will also include exploration nodes at the lunar equator and the far side of the Moon, supporting various scientific and technological missions.
Powering the Future
The ILRS will be powered by a combination of solar, radioisotope, and nuclear generators, offering a diverse range of energy sources to ensure the station’s sustainability. According to Chinese state media, the project will also involve establishing a moon-Earth and high-speed lunar surface communication network. Additionally, lunar vehicles, including a hopper, an unmanned long-range vehicle, and crewed rovers, both pressurized and unpressurized, will be essential components of the station’s infrastructure.
Beyond its role as a lunar base, the ILRS is seen as a stepping stone toward future human missions to Mars. “The lunar base will provide us with the foundation to test technologies for long-duration space exploration and, eventually, crewed missions to Mars,” Wu noted. The base’s extended model, which is expected to be completed by 2050, aims to expand this capacity and include more advanced exploration nodes.
Attracting Global Partners
China has been actively recruiting international partners for the ILRS project. During the recent conference, Senegal became the 13th country to join, signaling the project’s broad international appeal. Other partners include Russia, Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates, and Brazil. While China leads the ILRS initiative, the United States is also working on its own lunar program. NASA’s Artemis program aims to establish a sustainable lunar base and return humans to the Moon by the end of the decade.
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In addition to building a base, China is exploring the potential of lunar lava tubes as long-term human habitats. These natural tunnels, formed by ancient volcanic activity, offer protection from cosmic radiation, micrometeorite impacts, and extreme temperature fluctuations, making them ideal locations for a permanent human presence. Recent Chinese research suggests using mobile robots with 3D imaging and navigation systems to explore these tubes, providing insights into their suitability for habitation.