International Lunar Research Station

International Lunar Research Station (ILRS)
Country	China, Russia
Organization	CNSA, Roscosmos
Purpose	Crewed lunar exploration and research
Program history
Duration	Reconnaissance: 2021–2025; Construction: 2026–2035; Utilization: from 2036

The International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) is a planned lunar base currently being developed by Roscosmos and the China National Space Administration. The ILRS will serve as a comprehensive scientific experiment base built on the lunar surface or in lunar orbit that can carry out multi-disciplinary and multi-objective scientific research activities including exploration and utilization, lunar-based observation, basic scientific experiment and technical verification, and long-term autonomous operation. Statements from Roscosmos and CNSA underline that the project will be "open to all interested countries and international partners."^[1]^[2]^[3]^[4]

History[]

On 16 June 2021, Roscosmos and the China National Space Administration (CNSA) held a joint session in St. Petersburg on the auspices of the Global Space Exploration Conference (GLEX 2021), dedicated to the presentation of the Roadmap for the creation of the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS). The session was attended by Sergei Saveliev, the Deputy Director General of Roscosmos for International Cooperation and Wu Yanhua, the Vice Administrator of CNSA (remotely).

Roscosmos and CNSA representatives held consultations on a draft declaration in september 2021, together with experts from Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Malaysia, Thailand and the UN Office for Outer Space Affairs. The talks took place behind closed doors.^[5]

Definition and Composition[]

ILRS is a complex experimental research facility to be constructed with a possible attraction of partners on the surface and/or in the orbit of the moon designed for multi-discipline and multi-purpose scientific research activities, including exploration and use of the moon, moon-based observation, fundamental research experiments, and technology verification with the capability of long-term unmanned operation with the prospect of subsequent human presence.^[6]

Scientific objectives[]

Lunar topography, geomorphology, and geological structure
Lunar Physics and internal structure
Lunar Chemistry (materials and geoarchaeology)
Cis-Lunar space environment
Lunar-based astronomical observation
Lunar based earth observation
Lunar-based biological and medical experiment
Lunar Resource in-situ utilization

Facilities[]

Cislunar Transportation Facility – supporting round-trip transfers between the Earth and the Moon, including lunar descent, landing, ascent, and return to Earth.
Long-term Support Facility on Lunar Surface – to consist of various support modules for operations on the lunar surface.
Lunar Transportation and Operation Facility – to consist of modules for lunar exploration and cargo transportation.
Lunar Scientific Facility – to support in-orbit and surface experiments
Ground Support and Application Facility – data center and ground support operations

Development[]

Phase 1: Reconnaissance (2021–2025)[]

Objectives:^[6]

Lunar reconnaissance with the planned missions
ILRS design and selection of site(s)
Technology verification for a secure high-precision soft landing

List of missions (Includes Potential Missions of Other Partners)
Date	Country (Agency)	Launch Vehicle	Spacecraft	Status
7 December 2018	China (CNSA)	LM-3B	Chang'e 4	Successful
July 2022	Russia (Roscosmos)	Soyuz-2	Luna 25	Planned
November 2024	Russia (Roscosmos)	Soyuz-2	Luna 26	Planned
2024	China (CNSA)	LM-5	Chang'e 6	Planned
2024	China (CNSA)	LM-5	Chang'e 7	Planned
August 2025	Russia (Roscosmos)	Soyuz-2	Luna 27	Planned

Phase 2: Construction (2026–2035)[]

Stage 1 (2026–2030):^[6]^[7]

Technology verification for the command center of ILRS
Lunar sample return
Massive cargo delivery and secure high-precision soft landing
Start of joint operations

Stage 2 (2031–2035):^[6]^[7]

Establishment of in-orbit and surface facilities for the ILRS, in preparation for crewed missions.

Phase Includes 2 normal missions and 5 Crucial Missions
Missions	Objectives	Date	Country(Agency)	Launch Vehicle	Spacecraft	Status
		2027	China (CNSA)	LM-5		Planned
		2027	Russia (Roscosmos)	Angara A5	Luna 28	Planned
5 crucial missions planned for comprehensive establishment of ILRS to complete the in-orbit and surface facilities between 2030 to 2035
ILRS-1	"Establishment of the command center, basic energy, and telecommunication facilities, to satisfy the needs of lunar infrastructure, lunar autonomous operations, and long-term research exploration."^[6]	2031	TBA	LM-9 or Yenisei	TBA	Planned
ILRS-2	"Establishment of lunar research and exploration facilities such as lunar physics, geological profiling, lava tube exploration, lunar sample return."^[6]	2032	TBA	LM-9 or Yenisei	TBA	Planned
ILRS-3	"Establishment of lunar in-situ resources utilization technology verification facilities."^[6]	2033	TBA	LM-9 or Yenisei	TBA	Planned
ILRS-4	"Verification of the general technologies for the lunar biomedical experiment distributes sample collection and return."^[6]	2034	TBA	LM-9 or Yenisei	TBA	Planned
ILRS-5	"Establishment of Lunar-based astronomy and earth observation capabilities."^[6]	2035	TBA	LM-9 or Yenisei	TBA	Planned

Phase 3: Utilization (from 2036)[]