The China National Space Administration (CNSA) has released a video of its concept for a lunar base to be developed across the next couple of decades.
CNSA unveiled the video on Wednesday (April 24) as part of the country’s annual space day celebrations. The project is known as the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) and was jointly announced in 2021 by China and Russia.
China is now leading the moon base initiative and attempting to attract international partners for the endeavor. So far, alongside China, Russia, Venezuela, Pakistan, Azerbaijan, Belarus, South Africa, Egypt, Thailand and Nicaragua have joined the initiative, according to Space News.
One curious detail of the video is the presence of a retired NASA Space Shuttle appearing to lift off from a launch pad in the background.
They have the skill, have a good start on the infrastructure, and have the money to do what America did in the 70s.
They don’t have the skill, infrastructure, or money to build what was shown in the rendering. Nobody does. To do what they show doesn’t just require a moon base, but full out lunar mining and manufacturing. We only have preliminary ideas about how to do that, none of which have any practical testing, and we’re a long way from getting there.