China and the Moon

August 2023, Director General of Roscosmos Yuri Borisov spoke about the future of the Russian lunar program

🌑🚀In the future, the Moon will become a launching pad for exploration of deep space and distant planets.

Director General of Roscosmos Yuri Borisov spoke about the future of the Russian lunar program - the launch of Luna-25 was the first step.

▪️Luna-25 will enter the circumlunar orbit on August 16. A soft landing is scheduled for 21 August.

▪️The station will conduct a range of studies - first of all, the search for water. If successful, the prospect of building a lunar base and industrial use opens up.

▪️The complex of studies is designed for a year. The station will take lunar soil, study it and transmit data to Earth.

▪️In 2027, we should launch Luna-26, in 2028 - Luna-27, and somewhere after 2030 - Luna-28. These missions will be phase one.

▪️After that, Russia, together with China, will move on to the next phase - the possibility of a manned visit to the moon and the construction of a lunar base.

#source

@Slavyangrad

Join SLG 🔺 Intelligence Briefings, Strategy and Analysis, Expert Community

https://x.com/Zlatti_71/status/1689995592959750144

From RT,

Putin orders funding increase for space-based nuclear energy

Roscosmos is investigating the possibility of building a nuclear power plant on the Moon in cooperation with China

https://on.rt.com/crpw


https://www.rt.com/russia/595796-rus...-energy-space/


Putin orders funding increase for space-based nuclear energy
Russian President Vladimir Putin has instructed the country’s authorities to allocate funds for projects that would allow the country to create nuclear energy facilities in space.

In a statement on Wednesday, the Kremlin said Putin had ordered the national government to provide funding for the implementation of a project called the Development of Russia’s Space Nuclear Energy Field.

The funding campaign should start as early as this year, and the overall effort would be supported by Roscosmos, the national space agency, and Rosatom, the state energy corporation.

Putin has also urged the government to pay special attention to “measures to further advance the already existing scientific and technological capabilities in the field of space nuclear energy.” The deadline for completing the task has been set for mid-June.

In March, Putin told government officials to prioritize the space sphere, especially when it comes to building a nuclear power plant, noting that Moscow has “good competencies” in this area, of which it can be truly proud.

Earlier that month, the head of Roscosmos, Yury Borisov, said Russia and China had been looking into the possibility of deploying a nuclear power unit to the Moon by 2035. He added that scientists had solved almost all of the technical challenges involved in this feat.

In December, Borisov also claimed that Russia had “a head start” in relation to the development of a nuclear-powered space transport module, describing the project as “groundbreaking.”

Moscow and Beijing have intensified space cooperation in recent years. In December 2022, the two powers prepared an agreement on building the International Lunar Research Station, a project open to other countries and expected to be launched in the early 2030s.

Meanwhile, the head of the US Space Command, General Stephen Whiting, warned earlier this week that Russia and China were rapidly developing space capabilities that could pose a significant threat to Western assets in orbit.

It came after the US accused Russia of having plans to deploy anti-satellite nuclear capabilities in space. Moscow has dismissed these allegations as “unfounded,” suggesting that they had sought to lure Russia into arms-control talks on Washington’s terms.


🇷🇺🇨🇳‼️BRICS nations, have already joined the International Scientific Lunar Station being developed by Russia and China‼️

This was announced by Dmitry Bakanov, Director General of Roscosmos, on Monday during a meeting of the heads of BRICS space agencies.

“Our joint initiative with China to create the International Scientific Lunar Station is actively progressing. Thirteen countries have already joined (Belarus, Pakistan, Azerbaijan, Venezuela, South Africa, Egypt, Thailand, Serbia, Nicaragua, Senegal, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Bolivia), including BRICS members (Egypt, Ethiopia, South Africa),” noted Bakanov. 👇

https://x.com/onlydjole/status/1919175127063007505

#Roscosmos confirms #Luna25 (Luna-Glob) failure scenario, adds some details: https://russianspaceweb.com/luna-glob-flight.html#


https://x.com/RussianSpaceWeb/status...81767217762447

https://www.russianspaceweb.com/luna...ight.html#1003

Luna-Glob mission
Nearly half a century after the last Soviet probe visited the Moon, a new-generation lunar lander launched from the Russian Far East with a destination in the southern polar region of the Earth's natural satellite. Originally dubbed Luna-Glob, the new spacecraft was publicly renamed Luna-25 to symbolize its historical connection to the Luna-24 mission in 1976, which effectively concluded the Soviet robotic lunar program.

Liftoff and ascent to orbit

A Soyuz-2-1b/Fregat rocket, carrying the Luna-Glob (Luna-25) lander, lifted off from Pad 1S in Vostochny on Aug. 11, 2023, at 02:10:57.189 Moscow Time (08:10 Local time at the launch site). It was 23:10 UTC and 7:10 p.m. EDT on August 10.

After a few seconds of vertical ascent under the simultaneous thrust of the four RD-107 engines of the first stage and the single RD-108 engine of the second stage, the Soyuz steered due east so that its ground track matched an orbit with an inclination 51.7 degrees toward the Equator. It was the first mission from Vostochny heading in a strictly eastern direction, instead of flying along a north-northwest corridor as did all previous launches from the site targeting near-polar orbits.

(By entering orbit with the lowest possible orbital inclination accessible from Vostochny, the launch vehicle preserved the maximum payload available for the subsequent insertion into a trans-lunar trajectory.)

The first stage of the rocket separated 1 minute and 59 seconds into the flight (L+118.93 seconds), leaving it to the second (core) stage of the Soyuz rocket to continue accelerating the vehicle. The four boosters of the first stage were to impact the ground at Drop Zone No. 511 around 340 kilometers downrange from the launch site. Local authorities later confirmed that three of four boosters were discovered 28 kilometers from the town of Shakhtinsky, between rivers Desh and Tastakh. All 18 residents of Shakhtinsky were evacuated an hour before launch and "were returned to their homes at 10:30" a local official said.

The payload fairing protecting the lander then split into two segments and separated as well 3 minutes and 32 seconds after liftoff (L+211.95 seconds). Its remnants were projected to fall at Drop Zone No. 513 extending across the Verkhnebureinsky, Ulchsky and Vaninsky districts in the Khabarovsk Region on Russia's Pacific Coast.

In the meantime, the propulsion system of the third stage was pressurized, and just moments before the scheduled separation of the second stage, the RD-0124 engine of the third stage ignited and fired through a lattice structure connecting the boosters. The empty second stage separated 4 minutes and 48 seconds into the flight (L+287.86 seconds) and seconds later, the aft skirt of the third stage split into three segments and fell off (at L+292.46 seconds). All these fragments were to splash down in the Sea of Okhotsk at Drop Zone No. 515.

The third stage continued firing until around nine minutes into the flight (until L+560.64 seconds), followed by the separation of the Fregat upper stage with the lander over the Pacific Ocean 9 minutes and 24 seconds after liftoff (L+563.94 seconds). Just short of orbital velocity, the third stage quickly reentered the atmosphere and splashed down in the Pacific.

Upper stage maneuvers

Just five seconds after parting ways with the third stage, Fregat was to fire its main propulsion system to enter an initial parking orbit around the Earth at 02:22 Moscow Time or around 11 minutes after liftoff from Vostochny. The US Space Force later reported an object associated with the Luna-Glob launch in a 267 by 281-kilometer orbit with an inclination 51.73 degrees toward the Equator.

Then, after a period of passive flight, 59 minutes 52 seconds into the flight (at 03:07:52 Moscow Time on Aug. 11, 2023), Fregat was programmed to restart its engine to enter a trans-lunar trajectory exactly an hour after reaching the initial orbit. If everything went as planned, the Luna-Glob lander would be ready for separation from the Fregat 1 hour 19 minutes 47 seconds after liftoff (03:30:44 Moscow Time on August 11) and for autonomous flight into the vicinity of the Moon (INSIDER CONTENT) along a 350 by 400,000-kilometer elliptical orbit around the Earth. Fregat's second maneuver was also designed to reduce the orbital inclination of the mission by 0.8 degree.

Another eight minutes later, at 03:38 Moscow Time, the near-empty Fregat was scheduled to perform its final maneuver to enter a safe trajectory away from its former passengers.

Minutes after the planned separation time, Roskosmos confirmed that the spacecraft had been on the trans-lunar trajectory with the lunar orbit insertion scheduled for August 16, at 12:03:30 Moscow Time, followed by a landing attempt on the surface of the Moon on Aug. 21, 2023.

After separation from Fregat, the mass of the Luna-Glob spacecraft was reported to be 1,648 kilograms.

According to the operator of the Luch data-relay satellite system, Luch-5A and Luch-5B satellites were used to transmit telemetry from the Fregat upper stage after the mission had left the communications range of the ground stations on the Russian territory. A total 115 minutes of transmission time had been provided by Luch satellites, according to the provider.

Trans-lunar flight

During the day on Aug. 11, 2023, Roskosmos said that Luna-25 had maintained stable communications with ground control and its telemetry confirmed that all systems aboard the spacecraft had functioned normally.

Industry sources also confirmed that an optional orbit correction on the second day of the mission to adjust possible inaccuracies in trans-lunar injection would indeed be required, using DKS engines (INSIDER CONTENT) and delivering six meters per second in velocity change. The lander's engine firing was scheduled for 16:00 Moscow Time on Aug. 12, 2023.

Also, the Fregat upper stage was confirmed performing a maneuver that precluded its crash into the Moon. According to the estimates based on tracking data by the US Space Force, Fregat was expected to pass between 10,000 and 6,000 kilometers from the center of the Moon on Feb. 22, 2024.

Roskosmos then announced that Luna-25 had fired its propulsion system as planned for 46 seconds on Aug. 12, 2023. At the time, the spacecraft was 230,000 kilometers from Earth.

Roskosmos also said that the first activation of the science complex (INSIDER CONTENT) aboard Luna-25 had been successfully performed on August 13 and that the service telemetry from all the instruments had shown their good operation. First measurement data (from the instruments) during a cruise to the Moon had also been received and the scientific team had began its processing, Roskosmos said. According to the Space Research Institute, IKI, the ADRON-LR instrument (INSIDER CONTENT) had been used to measure the radiation environment around the spacecraft.

Luna-25 performed its second trajectory correction maneuver on Aug. 14, 2023, at 06:40 Moscow Time (11:40 p.m. EDT on August 13). This time, the lander's propulsion system fired for 24.3 seconds, according to Roskosmos.

Luna-Glob enters lunar orbit

According to unofficial reports, the Luna-25 (Luna-Glob) spacecraft was expected to enter an initial orbit around the Moon at noon Moscow Time (5 a.m. EDT) on Aug. 16, 2023. According to an unofficial report on the Novosti Kosmonavtiki web forum, posted around 1.5 hour after the expected lunar orbit insertion maneuver and citing available telemetry, the probe's engine fired as scheduled and the spacecraft maintained correct attitude during the maneuver.

Around two hours after the event, Roskosmos confirmed that two engine firings starting 11:57 Moscow Time (4:57 a.m. EDT) had successfully put Luna-25 into orbit around the Moon by 12:03 Moscow Time (5:03 a.m. EDT). The first maneuver was performed with the KTD engine (INSIDER CONTENT) and lasted 243 seconds. The second firing used soft landing engines and lasted 76 seconds.

According to Roskosmos, all systems aboard the spacecraft were functioning normally. The spacecraft was reported to be in the 91.4 by 112.6-kilometer orbit around the Moon with an inclination 82.087 degrees toward the lunar Equator and the ascending angle of 270.53 degrees longitude (a point where the spacecraft's ground track crosses from the sourthern to the northern hemisphere).

The mass of the spacecraft after reaching lunar orbit was reported to be 1,237 kilograms.

The first lunar orbit correction was expected to be performed two days after entering the initial lunar orbit and upon exact calculation of orbital parameters.

Also, on August 17, the Space Research Institute, IKI, released first image of the lunar surface produced by Luna-Glob's STS-L TV system (INSIDER CONTENT) at 08:23 Moscow Time (1:23 a.m. EDT). According to IKI, aboard the spacecraft, instruments ADRON-LR (INSIDER CONTENT), PmL and ARIES-L (INSIDER CONTENT) conducted test observations. In particular, they registered gamma-ray and neutron flows from the lunar surface and measured parameters of space plasma, gas and dust content in the lunar exosphere.

As of August 17, Luna-Glob was scheduled to perform a correction of its lunar orbit on August 18, at 13:00 Moscow Time (6 a.m. EDT), followed by another maneuver to form the landing orbit on August 19, at 14:18 Moscow Time (7:18 a.m. EDT), a poster on the Novosti Kosmonavtiki forum said.

On August 18, Roskosmos confirmed that the 40-second orbit correction maneuver had been performed, but with the engine firing starting at 09:20 Moscow Time (2:20 a.m. EDT). The State Corporation also said that all systems aboard Luna-25 had functioned well, but no orbital parameters or any details on the timeline of the mission had been released.

Luna-Glob crashes

The rest here,

https://www.russianspaceweb.com/luna...ight.html#1003

From RT,

🇷🇺🇺🇸 HISTORIC: Roscosmos chief Bakanov in Houston for NASA talks

First meeting of space agency heads in EIGHT YEARS

https://x.com/RT_com/status/1949942465617596513

Russian Lunar Nuclear Power Plant Expected To Be Delivered By 2030-2032

https://russiaspivottoasia.com/russi...-by-2030-2032/

Russia is working on a nuclear power plant suitable for use and installation on the Lunar South pole by 2032.

https://x.com/RussiasPivot/status/1949855355430928594

https://russiaspivottoasia.com/russi...-by-2030-2032/

Russian Lunar Nuclear Power Plant Expected To Be Delivered By 2030-2032

July 28, 2025 China, Energy, Infrastructure By Russia's Pivot to Asia

A nuclear power plant that is needed for lunar expeditions may appear in 2030-2032, Roscosmos General Director Dmitry Bakakov has stated, saying, “The horizon is 2030-2032. It is important to practice everything on Earth so that there is no risk in space. The nuclear power plant that can be landed on the Moon will give power to those infrastructure models that can work independently and wait for human arrival.”

This work is being conducted under the federal project Space Atom jointly by Roscosmos, the Kurchatov Institute, and Rosatom.

According to Pei Zhaoyu, the chief engineer of China’s Chang’e-8 mission, China and Russia are planning to build a nuclear power plant on the Moon to power the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS), a project they are developing together starting with the Chang’e-8 mission.

The Chang’e-8 mission, set to launch in 2029, will help prepare for a permanently staffed lunar base by 2030 and explore how to generate energy on the Moon. Although nuclear power is a strong option, other energy alternatives are being considered for the station as well.

Energy is one of the biggest challenges for the ILRS. “An important question for the ILRS is power supply,” said Wu Weiren, chief designer of China’s lunar exploration program. “In this Russia has a natural advantage; when it comes to nuclear power plants, especially sending them into space, it leads the world; it is ahead of the United States.”

The ILRS will need reliable, long-term energy source(s) to survive the extreme conditions on the Moon. Russia’s expertise with space-based nuclear technology will play a key role in planning.

In 2024, Russia’s space agency, Roscosmos, said it aimed to build a nuclear reactor on the Moon with China by 2035. This collaboration is intended to provide the ILRS with consistent power and to enable long-term lunar exploration missions.

While China has yet to officially announce its approval of the plan, Pei’s inclusion of the nuclear option in his talk to officials from the 17 countries and international organizations that support the ILRS suggests strong backing from Beijing.

While China and Russia are moving forward with the ILRS, the U.S. is also working on its return to the Moon through NASA’s Artemis program. America, the only country to have landed astronauts on the Moon, hasn’t returned since the final Apollo mission back in 1972. Now, NASA aims to land two astronauts on the lunar surface again in 2027 and then build a moon base.

NASA’s energy plans for its base include setting up large solar arrays on the lunar surface. The energy will then be distributed across the base using a network of pipelines and cables. The U.S. is also considering nuclear power for the Moon amid a global race for energy independence in space.

https://russiaspivottoasia.com/wp-co...South-Pole.jpg

China’s schedule for building its moon base around the lunar south pole matches NASA’s timeline. Wu Weiren stated last year that a “basic model” of the ILRS, centered on the Moon’s south pole, would be completed by 2035.

Chang’e-8 and its related missions are part of this roadmap. In addition, China plans to launch the “555 Project,” an initiative to invite 50 countries, 500 international scientific institutions, and 5,000 overseas researchers to participate in the ILRS project.

China’s space program has dynamically developed over the past 20 years. After becoming the third country to launch a human into space in 2003 with the Shenzhou 5 mission, China landed its Chang’e 3 robotic rover on the Moon a decade later. It also became the second nation to land a Mars rover and plans to send humans to Mars by 2033.

If Russia and China successfully build a nuclear power plant on the Moon, it could change the future of space exploration. It would open possibilities for large-scale space operations, including energy generation and cargo transport.

The Moon’s natural resources are another major reason for the race to establish a foothold there. The Moon has valuable metal oxides, silicon, titanium, rare earth metals, and aluminum deposits. Even more exciting is the presence of helium-3, a rare isotope not found on Earth that could, according to Chinese scientist Ouyang Ziyuan, “solve humanity’s energy demand for around 10,000 years.”

Further Reading

China Expected To Join Russia In Building The World’s Largest Fast Neutron Nuclear Reactor

https://russiaspivottoasia.com/china...clear-reactor/

China Expected To Join Russia In Building The World’s Largest Fast Neutron Nuclear Reactor
September 10, 2024 China, Energy, Infrastructure, Investment By Russia's Pivot to Asia

China is expected to join the consortium formed to build a multipurpose fast neutron experimental reactor (MBIR) in Dimitrovgrad, Russia’s Ulyanovsk Region before the end of this year, according to Vasily Konstantinov, a director of international scientific and technical projects at Russian SOE Rosatom Group. Konstantinov is also the CEO of the IRC MBIR Consortium. He was speaking at the Tekhnoprom 2024 forum in Novosibirsk.

Konstantinov said “China is now at an advanced point of the negotiation process. We signed a term sheet last year – the main technical, legal and financial conditions – and we are now essentially polishing the documents on accession. We have the Chinese’ accession to our consortium planned for the end of December this year. This will provide us with substantial financial resources. “

A fast-neutron reactor (FNR) is a category of nuclear reactor in which the fission chain reaction is sustained by fast neutrons, as opposed to slow thermal neutrons used in thermal-neutron reactors. They are a technological step beyond conventional power reactors, but are poised to become mainstream, offering the prospect of vastly more efficient use of uranium resources and the ability to burn actinides which are otherwise the long-lived component of high-level nuclear waste. They have the potential to extract 60 times more energy from uranium compared to existing thermal reactors.

Just over 50% of the reactor resources will be used by Russian industry organizations, giving a huge boost to Russian industrial productivity. In 2025, the reactor’s turbine should be completed, with a physical start up set for 2027, and the power start-up and operation from 2028. The reactor is expected to operate for 50 years.

In general, the reactor will offer the opportunity for research in nuclear medicine and radiation technology, and it will also generate electricity.

MBIR project director Alexander Zagornov has said that the overall estimated cost of the project is ₽150 billion (US$1.65 billion). The MBIR will be more powerful than any other existing or planned reactor in the world. The thermal power of the sodium cooled reactor will be 150 MW, while its unique technical characteristics will make it possible to tackle a wide range of research problems to develop new competitive and safe nuclear power plants, including fast neutron reactors with a closed nuclear fuel cycle. Russian state expert review office Glavgosexpertiza approved the design documentation for the MBIR reactor in August 2020.

Further Reading

https://russiaspivottoasia.com/russi...actor-exports/

Quote:

---

Posted by Jaak

Tried to research it but could not find any details .
What kind of reactor they want to build on moon ? Tokamak ? Molten salt ? Thorium ? Boron-Hydrogen ? Plutonium ?
How they plan to relay the energy created there and to where and in what wavelength ? X-ray, microwave , UV or something else ?
How they are going to cool the reactor ? ( it is very hard to cool things in out of space ) . Maybe they want to direct the thermal energy to the moon ? Use the moon as heat conductor/radiator ?
Interesting stuff , would like to know more about it but cant find nothing.

---

A late reply here, with my apologies!

Google (AI) responded with the following when I searched for ["China thorium reactor on the moon"]. It doesn't answer all your good questions, can only be derived from other online posts (accurate or otherwise), and I'm well-aware that Google gets things completely wrong sometimes.

~~

China is actively developing a thorium-fueled molten salt reactor (MSR) for potential use on the Moon, primarily to power the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS). This initiative is part of a broader effort with Russia to establish a long-term lunar base and conduct scientific research. The reactor, designed for autonomous operation and long-term power generation, aims to provide a reliable energy source during the challenging lunar environment, particularly the two-week-long lunar nights.

Here's a more detailed look:

• Thorium-fueled Molten Salt Reactor:
  China is developing a portable, modular MSR that uses molten thorium salts as fuel, which is considered safer and more abundant than uranium.

• Lunar Power Source:
  The reactor is designed to provide a reliable and long-lasting energy source for the ILRS, a joint project between China and Russia, potentially enabling extended lunar exploration and research.

• Autonomous Operation:
  The reactor is intended to operate autonomously, minimizing human intervention and maximizing efficiency in the lunar environment.

• Safety Features:
  Molten salt reactors offer inherent safety advantages, including a lower risk of meltdown due to the solidification of the molten salts in case of overheating.

• Beyond the Moon:
  While initially intended for lunar use, the technology could also be applied to other extreme environments on Earth, such as Antarctic research stations or deep-sea platforms.

🇨🇳 China says it has found a way to produce oxygen, water, and rocket fuel from Moon dust using lunar materials.

If true, it could reshape the future of space travel and Moon missions.

https://x.com/Defence_Index/status/1951677850198687837

🚨MOON DIRT MAGIC: BREATHABLE AIR AND FUEL FROM LUNAR DUST

Scientists in China have discovered a way to pull water from Moon soil and use sunlight to turn astronaut CO₂ into oxygen and fuel.

Lu Wang:

“We never fully imagined the ‘magic’ that the lunar soil possessed.”

No resupply rockets. No hauling water.

Just a handful of space dust, some sunlight, and chemistry that sounds straight out of sci-fi.

It all works thanks to ilmenite - a gritty black mineral hiding inside lunar soil - and a photothermal reactor that literally cooks it into giving up water and energy.

Sure, the Moon’s still a brutal place with killer temps, radiation, and uneven soil… but this is the first real spellbook for surviving it.

Source: SciTechDaily

https://x.com/MarioNawfal/status/1949442143015358964

‼️🇨🇳🚀A small step for the lunar rover, a big one for #China: the lunar module "Lanyue" has successfully completed test landing and takeoff trials — the first manned expedition is getting closer!

https://x.com/MaimunkaNews/status/1953908719214801368

Preparations for the Moon and...beyond...

https://youtube.com/watch?v=d94G_s41P4c

Well, naturally the U.S part comments try to minimize China experiments and blah,blah...

But time will tell...if supposedly space exploration will be a Humanity endeavor or we go to take our petty nations differences with us in space...

Posting this here but Mods please remove if it belongs elsewhere, Thank you.

Filmed entirely at China’s #Tiangong Space Station, this groundbreaking documentary shows the real-life story of the #Shenzhou13 crew, through the perspective of Wang Yaping - China's first female taikonaut to complete a spacewalk.

https://x.com/wulei2020/status/1957700041138643385

Russian space boss announces intensified rocket program

Vicus note:

China is nowhere in this article, then should we start a new THREAD? or maybe wait for more info ? or merge ...

Meanwhile...

https://www.sott.net/image/s36/73384...layday_Get.jpg

Russia aims to produce and launch up to 300 space rockets over the next decade, the head of the Roscosmos space agency, Dmitry Bakanov, has announced. The initiative highlights Moscow's push to strengthen its position in space and expand high-tech industries, even as Western sanctions restrict access to advanced components.

The plan is part of a national project to develop Russia's space activities, which includes eight federal programs with annual performance targets, Bakanov said on the sidelines of the Microelectronics 2025 forum on Monday.

He added that Roscosmos plans to build 1,000 spacecraft and 300 carrier rockets under the ten-year program. Each spacecraft will contain about 2,000 components from the domestic radio-electronics industry, with annual launches set at 20 to 30 rockets - nearly double Russia's current pace.

Bakanov noted that the newly approved national program, 'Space', includes lunar exploration and provides for the development of seven spacecraft in the Luna series.

Earlier this month, the government said work on the Soyuz-5 rocket was nearing completion. Designed to launch automated spacecraft into a range of orbits, the rocket will use Russia's new Energomash engines and carry up to 17 tons to low Earth orbit.

Separately, the head of the Space Research Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Anatoly Petrukovich, said Russia plans to launch its Luna-26 spacecraft to the Moon in 2028.

https://www.sott.net/article/502008-...rocket-program

Quote:

---

Posted by Vicus

Russian space boss announces intensified rocket program

Vicus note:

China is nowhere in this article, then should we start a new THREAD? or maybe wait for more info ? or merge ...

---

Not a prediction! :) But my personal guess is that Russia and China will soon start to mutually support each other more and more with their space programs. I suspect that China will reach the moon with a manned mission in 2-3 years all on their own (before the US, for sure), but after that there'll be increasing close cooperation between Russia and China in a whole bunch of ways.

TASS

Russia and China continue working jointly toward building a Lunar station, the head of Russia’s Roscosmos state-owned corporation, Dmitry Bakanov, said:
https://vk.cc/cQXUH7

https://x.com/tassagency_en/status/1985335227745443856

https://tass.com/science/2038969?utm...m_social_share

Russia, China working together to build Lunar station, said Roscosmos CEO

In May, Roscosmos and the China National Space Administration signed a memorandum on building a power station for the International Lunar Research Station
HANGZHOU /China/, November 3. /TASS/. Russia and China continue working jointly toward building a Lunar station, the head of Russia’s Roscosmos state-owned corporation, Dmitry Bakanov, said.

Earlier on Monday, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin arrived on a two-day visit to China. He attended the 30th regular meeting of the heads of government of Russia and China alongside Chinese Premier Li Qiang. The two sides signed a joint communique and a number of other documents, including a roadmap on satellite navigation.

"In May, when Mr. [Chinese leader] Xi Jinping visited Moscow, a corresponding agreement on the implementation was signed. [Russia and China] are jointly implementing projects to build power stations," Bakanov told reporters in response to relevant questions.

In May, Roscosmos and the China National Space Administration signed a memorandum on building a power station for the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS). Roscosmos has announced that the project will host fundamental research in space exploration and test the technology for long-term operation in the unmanned mode in light of the prospect of human presence on the Moon.

(I am posting the following here, but Mods if this belongs elsewhere please move it. Thank you.)

dana

Nov 25
🇨🇳 On November 25, the Chinese Jiuquan Cosmodrome launched the spacecraft "Shenzhou-22" using the Long March 2F carrier rocket to the Tiangong space station.

The spacecraft is loaded with supplies and equipment; it will replace "Shenzhou-21," which brought the crew of "Shenzhou-20" back to Earth on November 14 after their own spacecraft was deemed unsafe due to a collision with space debris. With the launch of "Shenzhou-22," the crew of "Shenzhou-21," consisting of three taikonauts, will have the opportunity to return home from the station after a six-month stay in space or in case of an emergency.

china3army

https://x.com/dana916/status/1993295684242444696

An excellent, detailed and extremely interesting 13-minute video featuring everything you might want to know about China's achievements, ambitions and capabilities regarding the moon. (AI-narrated, fairly impressively so, but I did catch a couple of small errors. :))

Facts Nearly Everyone Gets Wrong About China's Moon Missions

https://youtube.com/watch?v=e7xFwna8fac

https://youtube.com/watch?v=UUH5YyRPPXE

China Unveils Moon-Landing Spacesuit for First Time

Here we go...:

A crewed Chinese lunar landing will carry profound symbolism, especially if the country gets there before Nasa’s planned return mission. But such a feat would go beyond simple prestige: “The countries that get there first will write the rules of the road for what we can do on the Moon,” former Nasa Associate Administrator Mike Gold told a recent US Senate hearing.

A Chinese Moon landing would enable the country to start shaping the rules, the research agendas and the geopolitical landscape of this new era in space.

https://theconversation.com/china-is...matters-269306

Reflections...

"A crewed Chinese lunar landing will carry profound symbolism, especially if the country gets there before Nasa’s planned return mission. But such a feat would go beyond simple prestige: “The countries that get there first will write the rules of the road for what we can do on the Moon,” former Nasa Associate Administrator Mike Gold told a recent US Senate hearing.

A Chinese Moon landing would enable the country to start shaping the rules, the research agendas and the geopolitical landscape of this new era in space."

There you have it, NONE new thinking with new frontiers, just a continuation from Colonial Predatory way of thinking.

That paragraph reminded me the TV show "The Expanse"

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Expanse_(TV_series)

Following that way of thinking our solar system is divide between 3 forces: Earth (supposedly democratic) Mars ( a Spartan art military society) and the Belters ( the have not from the entire solar system)

Well, with some cosmetics distractions here and there, a mirror from actual World.

And all of this is real today and in that supposedly tomorrow, without need from some Aliens good/bad intervention ...

So, what are we gonna do about? :sherlock:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNjrI0YvZYA

Vicus comment:
WTF,Epstein drive? serious?...