China Celebrates 10th Space Day with Major International Cooperation in Lunar Exploration

China's 10th Space Day celebration took place on Thursday in Shanghai, highlighting the country's significant achievements in space and its dedication to fostering international collaboration. This annual event, first established in 2016, served as a platform for the China National Space Administration (CNSA) to announce several ambitious initiatives for deep-space exploration, particularly concerning the Chang'e-8 lunar mission, which is a crucial element of China's Phase-4 lunar exploration plan.

During the ceremony, the CNSA revealed a series of international projects associated with the Chang'e-8 mission, selecting contributions from 11 different countries and one international organization. Notable projects include a lunar rover proposed by Pakistan's SUPARCO in collaboration with the International Society for Terrain-Vehicle Systems and a Lunar Neutron Analyzer from Thailand's Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research, and Innovation. Other participating nations include Turkey, Italy, Egypt, and Iran, reflecting a wide-ranging interest in cooperative lunar exploration efforts.

Amjad Ali, deputy director-general of SUPARCO, expressed enthusiasm about the Sino-Pakistani partnership and highlighted previous collaborations involving satellite technology. Thai representatives shared similar sentiments, noting that their cooperation with China, which started only three years ago, is already leading to significant contributions to lunar exploration. Shan Zhongde, head of the CNSA, emphasized the importance of international collaboration in making scientific advancements and technological progress in the field of lunar missions.

Plans for the Chang’e-8 mission, scheduled for launch around 2029, involve landing near the lunar south pole and conducting scientific research along with resource utilization experiments. This mission will work alongside the preceding Chang'e-7 mission to facilitate future international endeavors, including the construction of an International Lunar Research Station. The CNSA also approved several international applications for lunar samples collected during the Chang’e-5 mission, allowing institutions from multiple countries to engage in scientific studies utilizing these lunar materials.

Additionally, the CNSA announced opportunities for international collaboration on the upcoming Tianwen-3 Mars probe mission, extending an invitation for global projects to share in the exploration of Mars. The successful operation and scientific advancements made possible by the Space-based Multi-band Variable Object Monitor (SVOM), a joint satellite project with France, further illustrate the fruitful outcomes of international cooperation in space science. This initiative showcases China's commitment to advancing space exploration in partnership with other countries, creating a legacy of collaboration and shared discoveries.