Iran Joins China’s Chang’e-8 Lunar Mission
The mission is part of the China-led International Lunar Research Station (ILRS), a major global effort also involving Russia and other nations. Iranian officials hope this marks the beginning of deeper involvement in lunar and planetary resource projects.
Iran’s participation in the Chang’e-8 mission reflects a growing ambition to establish a credible and cooperative presence in the global space sector.
As part of Iran’s 10-year national space roadmap, one of the key priorities is advancing space science and exploration. Among its top agenda data-x-items are the development of biological capsules and the exploration and eventual utilization of extraterrestrial resources.
Two major global initiatives are currently underway in the realm of lunar resource utilization. The U.S.-led Artemis program, supported by Western and some Eastern countries, and the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS), spearheaded by China and Russia, both recognized as space superpowers.
The ILRS initiative includes contributions from several nations and focuses on the sustainable exploration and exploitation of lunar resources.
China’s Chang’e program is a core component of the ILRS and represents a significant effort in lunar surface research. Following extensive technical consultations, Chinese space authorities have expressed confidence in Iranian scientists and researchers, leading to Iran’s formal inclusion in the Chang’e-8 mission.
As part of this mission, a scientific payload developed by an Iranian academic and research institute will be placed on the lunar surface.
The Iranian contribution is a static electric potential measurement instrument designed to study the uneven distribution of electric charge on the Moon’s surface. This type of data is considered critical for planning future lunar activities and resource utilization.
China has chosen payloads from a range of international partners to fly on the country’s Chang’e-8 lunar south pole mission, expanding its space diplomacy.
The China National Space Administration (CNSA) officially announced the selection April 24 of cooperation projects for the Chang’e-8 mission, scheduled to launch in 2028 or 2029, selecting 10 projects from 11 different countries, regions and one international organization. It follows a 2023 announcement of opportunities to collaborate in Chang’e-8, in which 200 kilograms of payload resources were made available.
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