China to Launch Rocket for Lunar Research Base in 2026... Establishment by 2035

Foundation for ILRS Construction Established Through Two Spacecraft Launches

China announced plans to lay the groundwork for the construction of the 'International Lunar Research Station' (ILRS) through two spacecraft launches scheduled for 2026 and 2028.

According to China Central Television (CCTV) and other sources on the 25th, the China National Space Administration announced plans to launch Chang'e 7 in 2026 and Chang'e 8 in 2028.

Chang'e 7 will focus on investigating the environment and resources of the lunar south pole, while Chang'e 8 will concentrate on verifying lunar resource utilization technologies. Through these efforts, China aims to establish the foundation for the ILRS around 2035.

The ILRS construction, jointly promoted by China and Russia, will proceed in two phases.

Chang'e 6 probe [Image source=AP Yonhap News]

The first phase involves creating basic facilities capable of conducting scientific research within a 100 km range centered on the lunar south pole by 2035. China plans to enable missions such as unmanned lunar exploration, manned lunar landings, and international cooperation through the 'Earth-Moon Integrated Network.'

The second phase aims to expand base capabilities to build a comprehensive lunar base network by 2050. Through expansion projects, a comprehensive research platform will be established, supporting long-term unmanned and short-term manned exploration.

Guan Feng, Deputy Director of the Lunar Exploration and Space Project Center at the China National Space Administration, stated, "Chang'e 8 must consider communication capabilities; there will be wireless networks (internet) and energy on the Moon. Scientists are researching the possibility of growing vegetables on the Moon, and Chang'e 8 may conduct such research."

So far, Venezuela, Belarus, Pakistan, Azerbaijan, South Africa, Egypt, Nicaragua, Thailand, Serbia, Kazakhstan, and Senegal have joined the ILRS project. The Chinese English-language media Global Times reported that Western participants in ILRS include the International Lunar Observatory Association in Hawaii, USA, Swiss company Nano-Space for Cooperation, and the French Thales Group.

China is investing massive capabilities in the space sector under the banner of 'Space Rise.' The goal is to send manned spacecraft to the Moon by 2030. In June, Chang'e 6 became the world’s first mission to bring back soil samples from the far side of the Moon.