Russian space agency maps out steps with Chinese partners to create joint lunar station

MOSCOW, July 18. /TASS/. Russia and China have mapped out steps for creating a joint research lunar station, the State Space Corporation Roscosmos said in a statement posted on its website on Thursday. The statement follows the results of the 20th session of the space cooperation sub-commission of the Russian-Chinese commission for the preparation of regular meetings of the heads of governments. On Russia’s part, the session was attended by Roscosmos Chief Dmitry Rogozin while the Chinese delegation was led by Head of the China National Space Administration Zhang Kejian. "Specifically, steps were mapped out for creating a joint scientific lunar station and a grouping of Earth’s remote sensing satellites," the statement reads. Both sides also explored new "possible areas of Russia-China interaction in outer space." They also reviewed and updated the program of bilateral cooperation for 2018-2022 with the coordinating role of Roscosmos’ Glavkosmos commercial launch operator on whose premises the session was held. At the recent St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, Roscosmos Chief Rogozin proposed that Chinese partners should team up with Russia in creating a lunar base and a grouping of Earth’s remote sensing satellites. As Rogozin said, Roscosmos intends to link the Luna-26 mission intended to be launched in 2023 with the Chinese lunar project. Read more