China Opens Doors to Global Cooperation in Upcoming Lunar Missions
China is charting a new course in lunar exploration by embracing international collaboration in its upcoming lunar missions. Building on the success of the Chang’e-6 mission, which included scientific instruments from the European Space Agency (ESA), France, Italy, and Pakistan, China is extending invitations to global partners for future endeavors.
Scheduled for launch around 2026, the Chang’e-7 mission aims to explore the lunar south pole and will carry six scientific instruments from various international collaborators. Looking further ahead, Chang’e-8, planned for a 2028 launch, will allocate 200 kilograms of payload capacity specifically for international cooperative research. This mission is set to lay the groundwork for a potential international lunar research station by 2035.
Liu Yunfeng, deputy director of the international cooperation department at the China National Space Administration (CNSA), revealed that the CNSA has already signed cooperation agreements with over 10 countries and international organizations regarding the lunar research station.
Chang’e-6: A Model for Collaboration
The Chang’e-6 mission stands as a testament to the benefits of international cooperation. Instruments from the ESA and France performed flawlessly on the lunar surface, while an Italian laser retroreflector and a Pakistani CubeSat also operated as planned. Hu Hao, chief designer of the Chang’e-6 mission, emphasized how overcoming cultural and technical differences led to the mission’s success. He believes this experience will pave the way for even more sophisticated joint endeavors on the moon.
Openness to the United States
China has also expressed openness to collaboration with the United States in space exploration. Despite existing legislative restrictions, such as the Wolf Amendment, which prohibits NASA from engaging in direct cooperation with China, Chinese officials remain hopeful. Bian Zhigang, deputy head of the CNSA, stated, “I believe American scientists wish to participate in the research of our lunar samples. They should take practical measures to remove the restrictions in order to establish normal communication with China.”
China advocates for lifting these restrictions, arguing that enhanced cooperation would benefit both nations and advance global space exploration efforts.
(With input from Xinhua)
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China embraces international collaboration in upcoming lunar missions
cgtn.com
