China isn’t just landing probes on the Moon. It is building a long‑term scientific base with partners to explore lunar resources and support future human missions. Read how this project is shaping lunar exploration.
Few achievements capture human imagination like returning to the Moon. For decades, nations have looked at our celestial neighbor with curiosity and ambition. Today, China has emerged at the center of renewed lunar interest, not just with robotic landers and sample returns, but with plans to establish a sustained scientific presence on the Moon. This project, the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS), is more than a building. It is a vision of collaborative exploration, technological innovation, and long-term human presence beyond Earth.
The ILRS represents China’s most ambitious lunar plan yet. It is being developed in partnership with Russia and potentially dozens of international partners. The station aims to support scientific research, technology testing, and eventually human missions. Unlike short-term visits or robotic flybys, this initiative is about long-duration presence. The heart of the project lies in the Moon’s south pole, a region of strategic importance due to potential water ice and relatively stable sunlight for energy generation.
China’s lunar program began modestly with orbiters and landers. The Chang’e missions have steadily increased in complexity and capability, laying the groundwork for long-term lunar operations. Each mission builds on the last, from orbital mapping to surface landings, sample returns, and now technology testing for sustainable lunar infrastructure.
The upcoming Chang’e‑7 mission, expected around 2026, is designed to survey the south pole, detecting water ice, mapping terrain, and assessing environmental conditions. Its successor, Chang’e‑8, scheduled for around 2028, will take the next step by testing technologies that may allow humans to construct structures using lunar materials, a concept called in-situ resource utilization (ISRU). This could include converting lunar soil into bricks, producing water from ice, or even generating fuel for rockets.
The ILRS itself is planned in two phases. The first phase aims to deliver a basic station by 2035, capable of supporting scientific research, communications, navigation, and limited human visits. Robotic systems will form the backbone of operations, performing construction and research tasks autonomously. By the second phase, roughly 2045, the station is expected to expand into a network of surface facilities and orbital hubs, supporting more complex science, technology experiments, and eventually longer-duration human stays.
A key component of this development is energy generation. Lunar nights last approximately 14 Earth days, making solar power alone unreliable. China and Russia have proposed deploying nuclear reactors on the Moon, along with solar arrays, to provide continuous power for the station. This would allow operations to continue uninterrupted and support more sophisticated experiments and communications systems.
International collaboration is central to China’s approach. Officials envision 50 countries, 500 research institutions, and thousands of researchers participating in ILRS projects, from instrument design to experiments and construction. This includes potential partners from Africa, Asia, Europe, and Latin America. The station is intended to be a global scientific hub, distinct from unilateral lunar projects, emphasizing shared data, joint experiments, and open collaboration.
The lunar south pole is particularly attractive due to permanently shadowed regions that may contain water ice. Water is one of the most valuable resources in space, as it can provide oxygen, drinking water, and rocket fuel. By establishing a base near these resources, China could enable long-term research and prepare for deeper space exploration, including missions to Mars.
China’s strategy includes building supporting infrastructure in lunar orbit and on the surface. The Queqiao relay satellite system and additional communication satellites ensure continuous communication between Earth and the Moon. Robotic construction systems, including swarms of autonomous machines, will test lunar 3D printing, regolith processing, and building techniques. These technologies are essential for long-term sustainability, reducing the need to transport heavy materials from Earth.
While the ILRS is presented as a peaceful scientific project, it carries strategic implications. Establishing a long-term lunar presence demonstrates technological prowess and increases China’s influence in international space affairs. It may also serve as a model for future global cooperation on other planets, setting standards for resource usage, environmental protection, and collaborative science.
The human element of China’s lunar ambitions is equally significant. Crewed missions are anticipated around 2030, with astronauts testing life support systems, surface mobility, and construction technologies. These missions may initially be short stays, but they will eventually integrate with the ILRS, supporting long-term operations and experiments.
International comparisons highlight the unique nature of China’s approach. NASA’s Artemis program also targets the south pole but emphasizes short-term human landings and partnerships led by private companies. In contrast, China’s ILRS focuses on autonomous operations, long-term presence, and open international collaboration, reflecting a complementary vision for global lunar exploration.
China’s lunar program also contributes to scientific understanding. Experiments conducted by the Chang’e missions have returned samples from the Moon’s near side and explored its far side, providing data on composition, geology, and environmental conditions. Future ILRS operations will expand this research, including astronomy, material science, biology experiments, and studies of lunar geology.
Challenges remain. The Moon is a harsh environment, with extreme temperatures, radiation, and abrasive dust that can damage equipment. Construction, power management, and long-term sustainability require cutting-edge engineering and innovation. Delays or technical difficulties are inevitable, but China’s systematic approach and incremental testing increase the likelihood of success.
Legal and policy considerations also come into play. The Outer Space Treaty governs lunar activities, emphasizing peaceful use and shared scientific benefit. China has indicated its intent to operate within these international frameworks, but as lunar activity increases globally, negotiations on resource use, environmental protection, and operational standards will become more complex.
The potential benefits of the ILRS are profound. Beyond advancing scientific knowledge, it may serve as a platform for future human missions deeper into the solar system, including Mars. It also sets a precedent for global collaboration in space, demonstrating how multiple nations can jointly explore and utilize extraterrestrial resources.
By 2035, the basic ILRS station is expected to be operational, capable of supporting research and short human missions. By 2045, an expanded network of facilities may allow sustained human presence, advanced experiments, and further testing of technologies for interplanetary exploration.
In summary, China is building far more than a moon base; it is laying the foundation for long-term international cooperation, sustainable lunar operations, and technological innovation. The ILRS integrates robotics, energy systems, communication networks, and human exploration into a coherent vision for the next era of space exploration.
The Moon is no longer just a target for brief landings. With China’s ILRS, it may become a hub of scientific discovery, international collaboration, and a stepping stone to the stars, shaping humanity’s presence in space for decades to come.
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