The possibility of Russia shaking hands with China to carry out lunar missions

“Before the end of May, I plan to hold a detailed dialogue on cooperation with Chinese partners in this direction.“, Mr. Rogozin told TASS news agency on April 29.

In March 2021, Mr. Rogozin and Director of China’s National Space Administration Zhang Kejian signed a memorandum of understanding and cooperated in the construction of an international lunar station.

In November 2017, Roscosmos and CNSA signed a space cooperation program for the period 2018 – 2022. The cooperation program includes 6 areas: research on the Moon and deep space; space research and related technologies; satellite and usage; base components and materials; interactions on Earth’s remote sensing data and other issues. Working groups have been established to carry out the projects in this program.

In early April, the European Space Agency (ESA) announced the cessation of cooperation with Russia on three Moon missions – Luna 25, 26 and 27.

In an official statement, the ESA said it was diverting its space programs because of Russia’s military campaign in Ukraine. ESA says it is looking to work with the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and private companies to continue the mission. ESA also confirmed the cessation of cooperation with Roscosmos related to the Mars exploration mission. The mission aims to deploy a rover on the surface of Mars and drill into the surface of the planet to look for signs of life.

Before the series of sanctions against Roscosmos, Mr. Rogozin affirmed that Europe would be the one to suffer more. According to Rogozin, the West will eventually have to resume space cooperation with Moscow, but must meet the conditions set by Russia.

Many countries around the world have negotiated with Russia about sending their citizens into space by Russian spacecraft. Russian President Vladimir Putin once announced that Roscosmos would conduct manned flights to send Belarusian cosmonauts into space.