By LI Linxu

South Africa has formally joined the China-led International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) project, marking a new milestone in space cooperation between the two countries.

The space agencies of China and South Africa signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on cooperation at the ILRS on September 1, according to the China National Space Administration.

Under the MOU, the two sides will cooperate extensively in the demonstration, engineering implementation, operation and application of ILRS, as well as the education, training and other areas.

On the 25th anniversary of diplomatic relations establishment between China and South Africa, South Africa's formal entry of ILRS indicates that China-South Africa cooperation has been extended from near-earth space to the moon and deep space beyond, said South African National Space Agency (SANSA), adding that it plays a significant role in boosting technology advances and building a high-standard community with a shared future for China and South Africa.

ILRS, formally announced in 2021, is a comprehensive scientific experiment base with the capability of long-term autonomous operation, built on the lunar surface and/or on the lunar orbit that will carry out multi-disciplinary and multi-objective scientific research activities.

The project includes three development phases, that is, reconnaissance, construction and utilization, as per the ILRS Roadmap.

A model of the Yutu lunar rover. (PHOTO: VCG)

From 2021 to 2025, it will focus on lunar reconnaissance, ILRS design and site selection, and technology verification for a secure high-precision soft landing.

The construction of ILRS is expected to be completed by 2035, and from 2036, it will become operational, providing a range of scientific facilities and equipment to conduct lunar scientific research exploration and experiments. It will also likely support human lunar landings in the future.

ILRS welcomes international partners to participate in the research and construction of the station at any stage and level of the mission, according to China's Space Program: A 2021 Perspective, released last year.