In May 2025, Roscosmos and the China National Space Administration (CNSA) signed a memorandum on the construction of a power plant for the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS). The Russian Academy of Sciences has approved the concept for the creation of the Russian segment of the station.
According to Russian Ambassador to China Igor Morgulov, work on implementing the intergovernmental agreement on the joint construction of the International Lunar Research Station is proceeding intensively. Experts are discussing the work distribution and sequencing of planned joint missions, as well as scientific and technical issues.
In September 2025, Roscosmos and CNSA signed a memorandum of understanding on the installation of a Russian scientific instrument — a lunar dust monitor — on China’s Chang’e-7 mission spacecraft. The Chang’e-7 mission, part of China’s Phase IV lunar exploration programme, is scheduled for implementation in the second half of 2026. The mission will land on the lunar south pole and conduct scientific exploration, including studies of the surface material characteristics, internal properties and space environment of the landing site.
The Russian-made PmL lunar dust detector is already in China, ready for a space flight scheduled for the autumn of 2026. Roscosmos announced that the station would conduct fundamental space research and test technologies for long-term unmanned operation with the prospect of human presence on the Moon.
The ILRS project represents one of the most significant joint scientific endeavours between Russia and China. In addition to lunar exploration, the two countries have agreed to increase the number of supported joint research projects and are developing a new Roadmap for Russian–Chinese Cooperation in Science, Technology and Innovation for 2026–2030. The Russian Science Foundation and the National Natural Science Foundation of China have already funded 255 joint research projects since 2021, with 55 new projects announced in 2025 covering chemical sciences, life sciences, health sciences and management sciences.
