South Africa joins China-led space program

South Africa has joined the International Lunar Research Station Program, an ambitious venture led by China, according to the China National Space Administration.

The administration announced on Thursday that Chen Xiaodong, a Chinese diplomat to South Africa, had signed a memorandum of understanding on Sept 1 on behalf of the administration, along with Humbulani Mudau, CEO of the South African National Space Agency, marking South Africa's entry into the program.

According to the MOU, both parties will engage in extensive cooperation in areas including the planning, construction, operation, and application of the lunar outpost, as well as related education and training projects. Moreover, within the framework of the BRICS Remote Sensing Satellite Constellation, the Chinese and South African space agencies will collaborate on remote sensing data exchange and application, as well as satellite ground stations.

South Africa's participation in the program indicates that China-South Africa space cooperation has extended from near-Earth operations to lunar and deep-space explorations, which will help promote advancements in space technology in China and South Africa, the China National Space Administration said.

According to Chinese scientists, the first version of the International Lunar Research Station will consist of components of China's Chang'e 7 and Chang'e 8 robotic missions – orbiters, landers, rovers, and a flyby craft, as well as a relay satellite.

Both the Chang'e 7 and Chang'e 8 probes are designed to land on the moon's south pole. Chang'e 7 is scheduled to set out around 2026, while Chang'e 8 will join it in around 2028.

In the long run, other spacecraft will be deployed on the south pole, to bring more infrastructure to the science outpost. The station will utilize robotics most of the time but will also be capable of accommodating astronauts for short stays.

The lunar station will act as an international platform for moon-based scientific experiments and mineral exploitation, mission planners have said.