Alerts Sign-up
The United States and China are both advancing their lunar exploration programs with significant projects aimed at establishing a sustainable presence on the moon. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is leading the Artemis program, which aims to create a robust infrastructure for lunar missions. Meanwhile, China is developing the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) in collaboration with countries like Russia, Belarus, Egypt, Nicaragua, and South Africa.
The Atlantic Council has highlighted that "the United States and its allies are developing a major space program to return to the moon and establish a permanent presence with a lunar base and an orbiting lunar space station." It also noted that "China is leading a very similar project called the International Lunar Research Station."
As both nations aim for long-term lunar missions, cooperation between them could be beneficial. However, according to NASA’s Chief Bill Nelson, no discussions have occurred regarding collaboration on lunar missions. He stated to Space.com: "The answer to that is no. We have had conversations in the deconfliction of orbit around Mars."
