Roscosmos, CNSA sign memorandum of cooperation to build lunar power plant

MOSCOW. May 12 (Interfax) - Russia's Roscosmos state space corporation and the China National Space Administration (CNSA) have signed a memorandum of cooperation on building a lunar power plant, Roscosmos said on Thursday.

"The memorandum is included in the list of documents signed based on the outcomes of today's meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping," it said.

A Russian power plant will be an important contribution to the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) project, which should be completed by 2036, Roscosmos said.

"The station will conduct fundamental space research and test technology for long-term uncrewed operations of the ILRS, with the prospect of a human being's presence on the Moon," it said.

Thirteen countries have joined the Russian-Chinese lunar station project now, it said.