Russia to take part in Chinese lunar project

Russian scientific equipment for studying the Moon will be sent on the Chinese Chang'e-7 spacecraft, the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) announced on December 25.

A statement following a meeting between Russian and Chinese heads of government Mikhail Mishustin and Li Qiang, the text of which is quoted by CASC, said the two sides agreed to "continue promoting the construction of the International Lunar Research Station," Interfax reports.

"To support the development of cooperation between Chang'e-7 and Luna-26, as well as to support cooperation in the project to send Russian scientific payloads on the Chinese Chang'e-7 descent vehicle," the corporation quoted the statement as saying.

On August 11, the head of Roscosmos, Yuri Borisov, announced that the launch of the Luna-26 mission is planned for 2027.

On October 27, Borisov said that the Russian Federation would study the Moon together with China after the launch of the Luna-26 and Luna-27 spacecraft.

The Chang'e 7 mission is scheduled to launch in 2026, according to CNSA.

In March 2021, the Russian Federation and China signed an intergovernmental memorandum of understanding and cooperation in the field of creating an International Scientific Lunar Station.

On June 16, 2021, Russia and China presented a road map for the construction of a joint lunar base.