International Lunar Research Station (ILRS)

The International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) is a proposed multinational lunar base project jointly initiated by the China National Space Administration (CNSA) and the Russian State Space Corporation Roscosmos. Conceived as a long-term scientific and exploration outpost on the Moon, the ILRS is designed to facilitate comprehensive research, resource utilisation, and deep-space exploration. The project reflects growing global interest in sustainable lunar presence and international collaboration beyond Earth’s orbit.

Background and Development

The ILRS initiative was formally announced in March 2021, following the signing of a memorandum of understanding between CNSA and Roscosmos. The agreement outlined joint efforts to construct a permanent lunar research facility either on the Moon’s surface or in its orbit. The project aims to establish a multi-phase infrastructure that supports long-term human and robotic operations, in contrast to short-duration lunar missions of previous decades.
The station’s conceptual design follows China’s Chang’e lunar programme and Russia’s Luna missions, both of which have contributed vital technological and scientific groundwork. China’s Chang’e-4 mission, which achieved the first soft landing on the far side of the Moon in 2019, demonstrated operational competence essential for future ILRS activities. Similarly, Russia’s historical experience from the Luna programme, including the Luna 24 sample return in 1976, provides valuable expertise in lunar surface operations.

Objectives and Mission Scope

The ILRS is intended to serve as a comprehensive scientific platform for conducting multidisciplinary research. Its objectives include:

• Lunar geology and topography: Detailed study of the Moon’s structure, composition, and evolution.
• In-situ resource utilisation (ISRU): Exploration of lunar materials such as regolith, helium-3, and water ice to support sustainable habitation and fuel production.
• Astronomical observation: Establishment of observatories leveraging the Moon’s stable environment and lack of atmosphere.
• Technology testing: Development and demonstration of technologies related to life support, power generation, robotics, and interplanetary navigation.
• Deep-space gateway: Acting as a launch and staging point for future missions to Mars and beyond.

These objectives are closely aligned with global lunar research trends and the broader vision of a sustainable lunar economy.

Design and Infrastructure

The ILRS is envisioned as a modular complex consisting of surface and orbital components. According to early plans released by CNSA and Roscosmos, the facility will include:

• Orbital station: Serving as a communication and relay hub between Earth and the lunar surface.
• Surface base modules: Including living quarters, research laboratories, energy systems, and transport infrastructure.
• Energy facilities: Likely based on solar arrays or nuclear power sources to ensure continuous operation during lunar night cycles.
• Logistics systems: Comprising lunar rovers, autonomous robots, and cargo transporters for scientific and maintenance activities.

The design also emphasises automation and robotics, enabling operations even in the absence of human crews. Over time, the ILRS is expected to evolve from a robotic facility to a permanently crewed station.

Phases of Implementation

The project roadmap is divided into several distinct phases extending from the 2020s to the 2030s and beyond:

1. Reconnaissance Phase (2021–2025): Ongoing robotic missions such as Chang’e-6, Chang’e-7, and Luna 25–28 are tasked with site analysis, resource mapping, and environmental assessment.
2. Construction Phase (2026–2035): Deployment of modular infrastructure elements on the lunar surface, including habitats and scientific instruments.
3. Operation Phase (2035 onwards): Commencement of continuous research activities, potential human missions, and international participation.

These phases are designed to ensure incremental capability development and technological readiness before human occupation.

International Cooperation

While the ILRS is primarily a Sino-Russian initiative, it is intended to be open to international collaboration. Several countries and organisations have expressed interest in contributing to various stages of the project. As of the mid-2020s, participating entities include the United Arab Emirates, Venezuela, Pakistan, Belarus, and South Africa, among others.
CNSA and Roscosmos have emphasised that the ILRS will operate under the principles of equality, openness, and shared benefits, inviting global partners to participate in scientific research, technology development, and mission design. The initiative thus represents an alternative cooperative framework to the U.S.-led Artemis Accords, highlighting geopolitical diversification in space exploration.

Comparison with Other Lunar Initiatives

The ILRS is often compared with NASA’s Artemis Programme, which aims to return humans to the Moon and establish a sustainable presence through the Lunar Gateway and Artemis Base Camp. While both programmes share the goal of long-term lunar exploration, they differ in organisational structure and partnership models. Artemis is a Western-led alliance, whereas the ILRS promotes a multipolar collaboration led by China and Russia.
Additionally, while Artemis prioritises crewed exploration in the 2020s, the ILRS focuses on a gradual robotic-to-human transition, with human missions expected in the 2030s. The differing approaches reflect distinct technological, political, and strategic priorities among the leading space powers.

Challenges and Criticism

Despite its ambitious vision, the ILRS faces several challenges:

• Technical complexity: Establishing and sustaining infrastructure on the Moon requires advanced propulsion, power, and life-support systems.
• Funding and coordination: Long-term financing and synchronisation among multiple partners pose administrative and logistical hurdles.
• Geopolitical implications: Some analysts view the ILRS as a counterweight to Western-led space initiatives, potentially intensifying competition rather than fostering global unity.
• Environmental and ethical considerations: The exploitation of lunar resources raises questions about planetary protection, ownership, and sustainable use of extraterrestrial environments.

Nevertheless, the project’s proponents argue that international cooperation within the ILRS framework can mitigate many of these challenges and promote peaceful exploration.

Scientific and Strategic Significance

The ILRS represents a major step in humanity’s transition from exploration to permanent extraterrestrial presence. Scientifically, it will enable unprecedented research on the Moon’s geology, solar system evolution, and cosmic phenomena. Strategically, it underscores the increasing importance of the Moon as a hub for technological innovation, resource development, and geopolitical influence.
For participating nations, involvement in the ILRS provides opportunities to enhance scientific capacity, develop indigenous space technologies, and contribute to shared global knowledge. The project may also lay the foundation for future interplanetary missions, serving as a testing ground for Mars exploration and beyond.