Moon
Azerbaijan has agreed to join the China-led International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) program.
Under an agreement signed during the 74th International Astronautical Congress (IAC), held in Baku, Azerbaijan, on Oct. 2-6, the China National Space Administration (CNSA) and Azercosmos, the national space agency of Azerbaijan, agreed to jointly verify scientific objectives for the lunar exploration program, develop scientific instruments, conduct scientific and technological experiments, share and analyze data, and provide education and training activities.
It was not immediately clear what Azerbaijan will contribute to the ILRS. The country has a satellite control and communications station in Baku. Azerbaijan’s satellite fleet consists of two communications spacecraft and one Earth observation satellite, all manufactured by Western companies.
The ILRS program was unveiled in 2021 as a joint initiative with Russia. The countries formalized the partnership in December 2022 by signing a bilateral intergovernmental agreement.
China plans to construct the ILRS with six missions between 2030 and the early 2040s, with updates presented at the IAC show. The assembly missions will be preceded by three Chinese Chang’e robotic precursor missions in 2024-28, along with three similar Russian missions.
In addition to Russia and Azerbaijan, so far Venezuela and South Africa are participating in the ILRS program.
The European Space Agency, France and Pakistan have agreed to provide scientific payloads for the Chang’e 6 mission.
