BEIJING: Pakistan has become the latest country to join China’s ambitious lunar exploration project, marking a significant milestone in their partnership. The announcement was made after an initial cooperation agreement was signed between Pakistan’s caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar and Chinese Premier Li Qiang during the third Belt and Road Belt Forum (BRF) in Beijing.
China’s National Space Administration revealed that the collaboration would focus on various aspects of the lunar base program, including engineering and operational elements. China, aiming to establish itself as a major space power by 2030, has already garnered support for its lunar mission from countries like Russia, Venezuela, and South Africa. The ultimate goal of China’s lunar program is to land astronauts on the moon by the end of this decade.
Lunar Outpost on Moon’s South Pole
The proposed lunar outpost, situated on the moon’s south pole, presents a region of “mystery, science, and intrigue” according to experts. This location has been of particular interest to space agencies due to its unique characteristics, offering valuable scientific insights into the moon’s composition and history.
China’s lunar ambitions align with NASA’s Artemis program, which aims to return US astronauts to the lunar surface in December 2025. These endeavors signify a renewed global interest in lunar exploration, with countries collaborating and competing to unlock the moon’s scientific mysteries.
The partnership between China and Pakistan in the lunar base project is a significant step forward in international space exploration, promising new discoveries and advancements in understanding of Earth’s closest celestial neighbor.
