XPost: alt.astronomy, alt.fan.heinlein, soc.history.war.misc

from https://www.space.com/china-moon-base-international-lunar-research-station-video

It is worth going to the citation to see graphics and video.
My daughter and grand daughter recently visited the Bioshpere
in Arizona. There, there was no mention of it being a
plan for a base in areas like the moon or Mars.

China unveils video of its moon base plans, which weirdly includes a
NASA space shuttle
News
By Andrew Jones published 21 hours ago
The video details an expansive lunar outpost, but curiously includes CGI
of a NASA space shuttle taking off from the moon's surface.

Comments (0)
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.

Related: Not just Artemis: China and Russia plan to put boots on the
moon, too

an illustration of an expansive moon base featuring several different structures, vehicles and many solar panels

A still from a video released by the China National Space Administration
(CNSA) that outlines its concept for a lunar base to be developed across
the next couple of decades. (Image credit: China National Space
Administration)

The video shows a number of missions, including surface sample return operations, a lander and rover, and supporting orbital satellites. These correspond to the planned Chang'e-6 and 7 missions planned for launch
next month and in 2027 respectively.

Together with Chang'e-8, these will form a basic model of the ILRS by
around 2028. Next will come communications, power generation and other infrastructure, which will be built on and developed into an expansive, inhabited lunar outpost.

The project is envisioned as a comprehensive scientific experimental
base which will host interdisciplinary and multi-objective research
activities focusing on lunar exploration and utilization, according to
Chinese reports. It will be capable of long-term independent operation,
either on the lunar surface or in lunar orbit.

Get the Space.com Newsletter
Breaking space news, the latest updates on rocket launches, skywatching
events and more!

Your Email Address
Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands
Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors
By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and
Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
an illustration of an expansive moon base featuring several different structures, vehicles and many solar panels

A still from a video released by the China National Space Administration
(CNSA) that outlines its concept for a lunar base to be developed across
the next couple of decades. (Image credit: China National Space
Administration)

"The moon serves as a starting point, and an international lunar
research station will provide a platform for long-term scientific
research, work and habitation, paving the way for future human
exploration into deeper space. It will serve as a technological,
material, and intellectual reservoir, preparing us for future missions
to Mars and other distant destinations in space," Wu Weiren, chief
designer of China's lunar exploration program, told China Central
Television (CCTV) on Wednesday.

Wu says the ILRS will be constructed in two phases. The first will
establish comprehensive scientific facilities with basic functions and essential supporting elements around the lunar south pole by 2035. The
second phase will set about building a well-equipped and stable facility
of considerable scale by 2045.

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.

See more
RELATED STORIES:
 —  China to launch sample-return mission to the moon's far side on May 3  — Are we prepared for Chinese preeminence on the moon and Mars? (op-ed)

— China releases world's most detailed moon atlas (video)

The shuttle was retired in 2011, NASA is largely prohibited from
cooperating with Chinese entities and has its own Artemis Program, while
China is also developing its own large and reusable launch vehicles for
lunar exploration.

China designated April 24 as its 'Space Day' in 2016 to mark the
occasion of the launch of its first satellite, Dongfanghong-1, into
space in 1970, and signal the country’s growing ambitions for, and value
of, space.

Join our Space Forums to keep talking space on the latest missions,
night sky and more! And if you have a news tip, correction or comment,
let us know at: community@space.com.

Andrew Jones
Andrew Jones
Contributing Writer
Andrew is a freelance space journalist with a focus on reporting on
China's rapidly growing space sector. He began writing for Space.com in
2019 and writes for SpaceNews, IEEE Spectrum, National Geographic, Sky & Telescope, New Scientist and others. Andrew first caught the space bug
when, as a youngster, he saw Voyager images of other worlds in our solar
system for the first time. Away from space, Andrew enjoys trail running
in the forests of Finland. You can follow him on Twitter @AJ_FI.

--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
* Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)