The China National Space Administration (CNSA) and Roscosmos signed a Memorandum of Understanding to build the ‘International Lunar Research Station.

The full scope of the station is unclear but was described by CNSA as a “comprehensive scientific experiment base capable of long-term autonomous operation” in a statement on 9 March.

The statement added that the station could be on the lunar surface, or in orbit, or both. But it is understood that the target is a base at the lunar south pole.

Spacenews.com reported that the ILRS envisions the Chang’e-6, -7 and -8 missions and potential international missions as forming the basic setup. In the early 2030s an expanded ILRS will involve long-term robotic and potentially short-term crewed missions. A long-term human presence at the lunar south pole is the goal for 2036-2045.