Azerbaijan Joins Russo-Chinese Lunar Station Project

The space agencies of China and Azerbaijan have signed a joint statement regarding collaboration on the International Scientific Lunar Station (ISLS) construction program, reports CGTN.

In 2021, Russia and China signed a memorandum of cooperation on the establishment of the International Scientific Lunar Station. Under this program, the countries are to jointly develop a roadmap for the station’s creation and collaborate in planning, justification, design, development, implementation, and operation of the project.

According to CGTN, the signing of the cooperation statement took place at the 74th International Astronautical Congress held in Baku earlier this month. The document indicates that both parties intend to collaborate, including in training personnel and conducting scientific experiments.

The broadcaster notes that Pakistan, the UAE, South Africa, and the Asia-Pacific Space Cooperation Organization have also previously joined the project.

Roscosmos announced in 2021 that the station will be established on the lunar surface and/or in orbit. The station will be used to conduct “multidisciplinary and diverse research activities.” Earlier in October, it was reported that the construction of the continuous casting station could be completed by 2040.