People’s Republic of China and the Russian Federation have announced plans to establish an international research facility on the lunar surface.

The establishment is named the International Lunar Science Station and is the product of agreement between the China National Space Administration and Russia’s space corporation Roscosmos. Alongside the two countries, others were invited and have the opportunity to participate in the project.

As it is still too early to speak in great detail, the goal of the ILSS is both to establish “long-term, uncrewed facilities on the Moon” and eventually “build up the capabilities for human presence there.”