China's lunar ambitions just got a boost! 🌚✨ On July 17, China's Deep Space Exploration Lab (DSEL) and the Moon Village Association (MVA) signed a groundbreaking agreement to work together on building an international research lab on the moon. How cool is that?
The big shots behind this exciting venture, DSEL Director Wu Weiren and MVA President Giuseppe Reibaldi, shook hands (virtually, we assume 😉) and sealed the deal with a memorandum of understanding (MOU). Reibaldi couldn't hide his excitement, saying they're super eager to team up with China to make the international lunar research station a reality.
In the meeting, Wu, who's also the brain behind China's lunar exploration program, gave a rundown of China's stellar achievements in moon missions and shared updates on the plans for the international lunar research station. Joining the space party were Dumitru-Dorin Prunariu, the president of the Space Explorer Association and an MVA advisory council member, and Jan Kolar, MVA's Vice President and former head of the Czech Space Office. They congratulated China on its epic deep space exploration feats. 🌌👏
So, what's the Moon Village Association, you ask? Founded in Vienna in 2017, the MVA is a UN-recognized non-governmental organization that aims to bring nations together for lunar exploration and settlement. Think of it as a cosmic community club! 🌠
📅 What's Next on China's Lunar Calendar?
China's been crushing it in space lately! Earlier this year, the Chang'e-6 mission made history by returning the first-ever lunar samples from the far side of the moon, scooped up from the mysterious South Pole-Aitken Basin.
But they're not stopping there! In 2026, the Chang'e-7 mission is set to launch, aiming to land at the moon's south pole to hunt for signs of water. Then comes Chang'e-8 in 2028, focusing on building the initial setup for the international lunar research station. Talk about moon goals! 🌖🚀
By 2030, China plans to achieve a manned lunar landing. Yeah, you read that right—astronauts walking on the moon again! 🌝👩🚀 And by 2040, they're dreaming big with a fully equipped international lunar research station to explore the sun-Earth-moon space environment and conduct all kinds of cool scientific experiments. Eventually, they envision an \"applied lunar research station\" that will serve as a multi-functional lunar base. Moon base party, anyone? 🎉
This collaboration between China and the MVA could be a game-changer for lunar exploration, bringing together international expertise to delve deeper into the mysteries of our closest celestial neighbor. Who knows, maybe one day we'll all get to visit the Moon Village! 😉
Reference(s):
China signs MOU with Moon Village Association on moon research lab
cgtn.com
