China Announces South Pole Mission Payloads, Nicaragua Joins ILRS Moon Base

Nicaragua has officially joined the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) program spearheaded by China. This move comes as China intensifies its efforts to garner support and collaboration for its ambitious lunar exploration endeavors.

The announcement, made by the China National Space Administration (CNSA) on April 24, also included agreements with the Asia-Pacific Space Cooperation Organization (APSCO) and the Arab Union for Astronomy and Space Sciences.

These agreements, reported by Chinese state media, outline the collaboration between participating entities in various aspects of engineering implementation, operation, and application of the ILRS.

The decision by Nicaragua to join the ILRS marks the country as the 10th nation to become a part of this groundbreaking lunar exploration initiative. Despite facing economic and technological constraints, Nicaragua's entry into the program underscores its commitment to leveraging space technologies and data, as well as engaging in regional and international space activities.

The ILRS, conceptualized by China, aims to establish a permanent lunar base by the 2030s, with precursor missions planned for the 2020s. These precursor missions include Chang’e-7, scheduled for around 2026, and Chang’e-8, which will conduct in-situ resource utilization technology tests. Both missions will target the lunar south pole, a region of significant scientific interest.

China and Russia initially announced the joint ILRS project in 2021, and since then, several countries have joined, including Venezuela, Pakistan, Azerbaijan, Belarus, South Africa, Egypt, and most recently, Thailand. Additionally, various organizations, universities, and companies have been attracted to participate in the ILRS, reflecting a broader diplomatic focus of China on the Global South.

The ILRS project aligns with China's broader strategy of international collaboration and engagement in space exploration. By involving countries from diverse regions, China aims to not only advance scientific knowledge but also foster diplomatic ties and cooperation on a global scale.

In parallel with Nicaragua's entry into the ILRS, the CNSA also announced new participants in the upcoming Chang’e-7 mission to the lunar south pole, scheduled for 2026. At least five international payloads from countries and international agencies, including Egypt, Bahrain, Italy, Russia, Thailand, and the International Lunar Observatory Association (ILOA), will be part of this mission.

These international contributions range from lunar dust and electric field detectors to passive laser retro-reflectors, demonstrating the collaborative nature of modern space exploration efforts. The involvement of countries like Egypt, Bahrain, and Thailand underscores the increasingly global nature of lunar exploration initiatives.

With preparations underway for the Chang’e-7 mission, which will include an orbiter, a lander, a rover, support from Queqiao-2, and a mini-flying probe, anticipation is building within the scientific community for groundbreaking discoveries in one of the most enigmatic regions of the Moon, Shackleton crater near the lunar south pole.