Serbia has agreed to participate in the China-led International Lunar Research Station.
The Ministry of Science, Technological Development and Innovation in Serbia has signed a memorandum of understanding with the China National Space Administration (CNSA) to cooperate on the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS).
The development was mentioned in a Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs report published on May 9, following Chinese President Xi Jinping’s state visit to Serbia on May 7-8. CNSA has not yet made its own statement on the matter. document Serbia and China also signed an MoU on cooperation in the exploration and peaceful use of outer space, in addition to the ILRS agreement.
The China-led ILRS aims to build a permanent lunar base in the 2030s using a super heavy-lift launcher. China also plans to send astronauts to the moon and launch precursor missions in the 2020s, including the Chang’e-7 and in-situ resource utilization technology test mission.
The China-led ILRS aims to construct a permanent lunar base. ILRS The China-led ILRS envisions constructing a permanent lunar base. The permanent lunar base is planned for construction in the 2030s. China aims to send astronauts to the moon and plans precursor missions in the 2020s, including Chang’e-7 and the in-situ resource utilization technology test mission. before 2030.
China plans to launch precursor missions in the 2020s, including Chang’e-7 around 2026 and a later in-situ resource utilization technology test mission targeting the lunar south pole. Chang’e-8 China also plans to send astronauts to the moon and launch precursor missions in the 2020s.The Chang’e-6 mission, currently in lunar orbit, is part of the program and is expected to attempt a landing in early June. The Chang’e-6 sample return mission, currently in lunar orbit, is nominally part of the program.
According to Chinese officials, ILRS has scientific and engineering goals related to lunar and Earth science, astronomy, experiments, resource utilization, and technological development.
This week, Russia announced it was developing a nuclear power unit for the joint lunar station, according to Reuters citing the RIA news agency. reportedRussia announced this week it was developing a nuclear power unit for the joint lunar station, as reported by Reuters citing the RIA news agency.
It is currently unclear how Serbia will contribute to the ILRS. China previously announced its intention to create the ILRS Cooperation Organization (ILRSCO) to oversee and manage the project, which will likely begin to map out Serbia’s involvement in the project. China previously stated its intention to create the ILRS Cooperation Organization (ILRSCO) to oversee and manage the project.
Victoria Samson, chief director of Space Security and Stability at the Secure World Foundation, expressed that the agreement reflects the interest in accessing the moon and forming partnerships, especially with China, known for using space as a form of soft power outreach. SpaceNews via email.
Victoria Samson, chief director of Space Security and Stability at the Secure World Foundation, mentioned that the agreement with China also allows Serbia to reaffirm its connection to Russia while benefiting from its relationship with China.
Victoria Samson, chief director of Space Security and Stability at the Secure World Foundation, emphasized the importance of establishing responsible behavior and deconflicting activities on the moon and in cislunar space as more countries, including Serbia, join the exploration efforts.
Serbia has become the 11th country to join the ILRS, following Nicaragua and Thailand in April. China and Russia formally announced the joint ILRS project in St. Petersburg, Russia, in June 2021. Venezuela, Pakistan, Azerbaijan, Belarus, South Africa and Egypt signed up during 2023.
| China | Country |
| Russia | Country |
| Belarus | Country |
| Pakistan | Country |
| Azerbaijan | Country |
| Venezuela | Country |
| South Africa | Country |
| Egypt | Country |
| Nicaragua | Country |
| Serbia | Country |
| Asia-Pacific Space Cooperation Organization (APSCO) | Inter-governmental Organization |
| nanoSPACE AG (Switzerland) | Firm |
| International Lunar Observatory Association (ILOA, Hawaii) | Organization |
| National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand (NARIT) | Institute |
| University of Sharjah (UAE) | University |
| Adriatic Aerospace Association (A3) (Croatia) | Organization |
| Asociación de Astronomía de Colombia (ASASAC) | Organization |
| Arabaev Kyrgyz State University (Kyrgyzstan) | University |
| PT Universal Satelit Indonesia (UniSat) | Firm |
| Arab Union for Astronomy and Space Sciences | Organization |
The group of countries signing up to the ILRS seems to show a broader Chinese focus on the Global South. China has also attracted a number of organizations, universities and companies to join ILRS. This includes the Adriatic Aerospace Association (A3) in Croatia.
The ILRS MoU is not China and Serbia’s first bilateral space agreement. The countries signed a memorandum on space technology in 2020. That agreement aimed to put a Serbian flag on a co-designed spacecraft. It also aimed to improve cooperation in the development and use of space technology for a range of applications.
Serbia, situated on Europe’s Balkan Peninsula, has a modest space sector. Serbian universities and research institutions are involved in space sciences and related fields and engaged in international projects. The University of Belgrade has, for example, engaged research in astrophysics, satellite engineering and remote sensing.
Serbia is neither a European Space Agency (ESA) member, nor an ESA associate member, nor does it have a cooperation agreement with the agency. Hungary, to which Xi Xinping made a state visit following Serbia, is a full ESA member. It did not appear to sign an agreement on the ILRS during that visit.
