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Russia, China discuss technical aspects of joint lunar station

All issues are discussed by Russian and Chinese specialists within the framework of a special working group

MOSCOW, February 3. /TASS/. Russia’s state-run space corporation Roscosmos is in talks with its Chinese colleagues to determine scientific tasks for a lunar base and to discuss technical aspects of the project’s implementation, Deputy Director General for International Cooperation at the Russian state space corporation Roscosmos Sergey Savelyev told TASS.

"At present, work is under way to determine possible scientific tasks of mutual interest in the Moon research. Besides, possible technical implementation of the project is being analyzed," he said.

At the current stage, the lunar station project envisages broad international cooperation.

"Until agreements are reached with the Chinese partners and a relevant legal basis for cooperation is created, it will be too early to speak about engaging certain countries/organizations," the Russian space official added.

All cooperation issues are discussed by Russian and Chinese specialists within the framework of a special working group.

China National Space Administration (CNSA) spokesperson Xu Hongliang earlier said China would continue its lunar research. The country expected to team up with Russia to jointly implement related projects, he added.

In November 2017, Roscosmos and CNSA signed a space cooperation program for 2018-2022. The program has six sections, including study of the Moon and the far space, space science and related technologies, satellites and their use, hardware components and space materials, cooperation in remote sensing of the earth and other issues. Working subgroups have been established to implement projects envisaged by the program.

In December 2020, Roscosmos Director General Rogozin said during a roundtable at the Russian Federation Council (upper house of parliament) that back in June, China suggested inviting Europe to join the Moon exploration program.

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