Pakistan partners with China on Moon program

Gwadar Pro

Islamabad: Pakistan has taken a significant step by signing an initial cooperation agreement with China to become part of its lunar base program, which aims to establish a research station on the Moon’s South Pole.

Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar and Chinese Premier Li Qiang were present to witness the signing of this agreement, said an official statement released here.

The China National Space Administration (CNSA) has stated that the collaboration between Pakistan and China in this lunar project will encompass various aspects, including engineering and operational elements of the Chinese lunar base program.

Last month, the space agencies of China and South Africa signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for cooperation in the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) program.

This agreement marked South Africa’s official participation in the ILRS program, highlighting the expanding cooperation between China and South Africa in the realms of near-Earth space, lunar exploration, and deep space exploration. This collaboration is expected to enhance space science and technology development between the two nations.

The cooperation between these nations will encompass diverse activities, including demonstrations, engineering implementation, operations, applications, education, and training related to the ILRS.

Within the framework of BRICS cooperation on remote sensing satellite constellations, the two space agencies have also been involved in cooperating on remote sensing data exchange, application, and satellite ground stations.

China has been actively pursuing similar cooperation agreements with other countries, including Russia and Venezuela, as it aspires to achieve a Moon landing mission by the year 2030. This collaboration represents a significant step in advancing space exploration and cooperation on an international level.