China and Russia have announced their intention to build a new lunar research station together, launching a new era of collaboration in space between the two countries.

According to a statement published on the China National Space Administration (CNSA) website, the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) would also be open to use by other countries.

No timeline was given for the construction of the ILRS, which was described as a “comprehensive scientific experiment base with the capability of long-term autonomous operation”.

The research station could be built either on the lunar surface or in lunar orbit to conduct “scientific research activities such as the lunar exploration and utilisation, lunar-based observation, basic scientific experiment and technical verification,” the statement said.

NASA had intended to establish a lunar gateway outpost orbiting the moon by the mid-2020s as part of its Artemis Programme which would see the first woman and next man land on the moon by 2024, although a recent audit report suggested this timeline may be pushed back.

A memorandum of understanding on the project has been signed by Zhang Kejian, CNSA’s administrator, and Dmitry Rogozin, the chief of Russian space agency Roscosmos.

The CNSA’s space programme was initially driven by Russian expertise in its early years, with its Shenzhou spacecraft closely resembling the Soyuz capsules used by Roscosmos.

Despite the general approach towards co-operation between states in space, US Congress has prohibited almost all contacts between CNSA and NASA due to concerns about the theft of technology and the secrecy and military links of CNSA.

Russia participates in the International Space Station, but the successes of Roscosmos have been muted since the fall of the Soviet Union.

The country recently successfully test-launched its heavy lift Angara A5 space rocket for the second time in December after lengthy delays and technical problems.

China has planned four crewed missions this year which will work on the country’s first permanent orbiting space station. The core module could be launched as soon as next month.

China became the sixth nation to ever reach Mars after its dual orbiter/lander Tianwen-1 spacecraft successfully entered the planet’s orbit in February.

Tianwen-1, which means “quest for heavenly truth”, took off last July from Hainan Island off the south coast of China with hundreds of onlookers watching from a nearby beach.

The lander is expected to attempt to touchdown on Martian soil later this year.

Related posts:

Psychedelic compound in magic mushrooms ‘promising’ for treating depression Emergency alerts for terror attacks, floods and other disasters to be sent directly to your phone Pfizer jab can now be stored in a fridge for one month, regulator says Cancelled launch won’t dampen hype around China’s ambitious plans for new space race Police arrest eight men on suspicion of sending fake Royal Mail texts Cryptocurrency group asks hackers to return stolen $600m SpaceX gets nod to launch world’s first ever all-civilian mission to orbit this week ‘It could kill any creature’: Researchers identify prehistoric killer whale that walked on land Home computing pioneer Sir Clive Sinclair dies aged 81 ‘Potential for damage incalculable’: Experts sound alarm over cyber vulnerability in widely used software Apple and Google ‘duopoly’ criticised for ‘vice-like grip’ over mobile devices Dual-mode ‘AirCar’ craft that can transform from a car into a plane is certified to fly