China's Deep Space Exploration Lab (DSEL) is taking its lunar ambitions worldwide! 🌍 The lab announced a groundbreaking partnership with the Moon Village Association (MVA)—a UN-recognized NGO—to build an international research station on the moon. The MOU, signed July 17, marks a giant leap in global space collaboration. 🚀
What's the Plan?
DSEL Director Wu Weiren, who also leads China's lunar exploration program, shared updates on the country's moon missions during the signing. MVA President Giuseppe Reibaldi praised China's achievements, including the recent Chang'e-6 mission that brought back the first-ever far-side moon samples in June. Talk about #SpaceGoals!
Next Stop: Lunar South Pole
China's lunar roadmap is heating up! 🔥 The Chang'e-7 mission launches in 2026 to hunt for water ice at the moon's south pole. By 2028, Chang'e-8 will lay groundwork for the research station. Fast-forward to 2030: China aims to land astronauts on the moon, with a full-scale research base planned by 2040. 🤯
Why It Matters
The MVA—founded in Vienna in 2017—bridges global space experts to support lunar settlements. This collab could unlock new tech for future moon bases 🛠️ and boost humanity's understanding of space resources. As Wu said: 'We're building a shared future beyond Earth.' 🌌
