China’s Moon Master Plan Revealed: City Infrastructure, Autonomous Robots, and More
China’s master plan for the Moon includes fleets of autonomous robots, habitation domes, and eventually city-like infrastructure. In a video depicting Beijing’s grand ideas issued by China’s national space agency, viewers have spotted a potential blunder.
China’s Space City Plan
In the video, China’s space city located on the lunar south pole will “support humankind” in traveling to “deeper space,” according to the nation’s space agency. The clip features a shot where a Nasa Space Shuttle rocket is taking off in the background. It’s worth noting that Nasa’s Space Shuttle program closed for business in August 2011 after four decades in the air, amid budget pressures.
Vision of China’s Space Base
China’s space city located on the lunar south pole aims to support long-term exploration and operation. The International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) makes this vision possible, according to translated captions in the video. The ILRS is expected to support long-term autonomous operation and short-term manned participation, playing a critical role in deep space exploration.
Timeline for Moon Base Development
By 2035, a basic model of ILRS will be built to house lunar scientific experiments. Astronauts will utilize local resources like lunar regolith to expand the base. A decade later, in 2045, China aims to establish a city-like base, referred to as an “extended model” of the basic ILRS. This base will be co-constructed by international partners, aligning with the China National Space Administration’s ambitions.
Global Participation in Lunar Research
As of now, the ILRS has nine country members, including China, Russia, Venezuela, Pakistan, Azerbaijan, Belarus, South Africa, Egypt, and Thailand. Turkey and Nicaragua have also reportedly applied to join the initiative. China’s timeline indicates that work on the Disneyland-sized International Lunar Research Base (ILRS) won’t commence before 2028.
US vs. China Space Race
The ongoing competition between the US and China has revitalized the space race of the 60s. Both nations are investing heavily in space exploration, aiming to establish permanent bases on the Moon’s lunar south pole. China’s aggressive space program under President Xi Jinping’s leadership highlights the country’s commitment to lunar exploration, raising concerns among US officials.
Significance of the Lunar South Pole
The lunar south pole holds strategic importance for space-faring nations due to its potential water-based ice reserves. These resources are crucial for sustaining human habitation on the Moon. The region’s abundance of precious lunar materials and water make it a prime location for future exploration and research efforts.
By prioritizing development at the lunar south pole, countries like India, Russia, China, and the US are laying the groundwork for long-term space missions and eventual human colonization. The race for lunar dominance underscores the strategic and scientific value of the celestial body in advancing humankind’s reach into the cosmos.