Russia, China secure support from 13 countries for International Lunar Research Station Including from Azerbaijan

Thirteen countries have joined Russia and China's efforts to create an International Lunar Research Station, Roscosmos Director General Dmitry Bakanov announced at a meeting of the heads of BRICS space agencies.

"Our joint initiative with China to establish the International Lunar Research Station is actively developing," Bakanov said, Caliber.Az reports, citing Russian media.

"Thirteen countries — Belarus, Pakistan, Azerbaijan, Venezuela, South Africa, Egypt, Thailand, Serbia, Nicaragua, Senegal, Djibouti, Ethiopia, and Bolivia — have already joined the project, including our BRICS partners Egypt, Ethiopia, and South Africa," said Bakanov. 

Bakanov highlighted Russia’s unique scientific achievements in planetary exploration, particularly its expertise in Venus missions, noting that Russian landing technology remains unmatched globally.

He added that Russia’s experience in studying the Moon and Mars could serve as a technological foundation for future BRICS-led international space programs.

The director general also pointed to the growing capabilities of China, India, and the United Arab Emirates in deep space exploration, citing their successful missions to Mars and experience with lunar exploration.

Bakanov expressed optimism that the number of such collaborative programs would continue to increase, making joint efforts more scientifically productive and more cost-effective for national budgets.

By Khagan Isayev