China's Ambitious Lunar Exploration Plans: Building a Station, 3D Printing, Crewed Landing, and Asteroid Probe

China plans to work with global partners to construct a basic version of International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) before 2028, an improved version of ILRS earlier than 2040, and a further complete one with application functions by around 2050. The ILRS will comprise five infrastructure systems and will be capable of providing energy supplies, communication and navigation, space shuffling, lunar research, and ground support services. China has carried out cooperation on moon exploration with more than 19 countries and regions around the world and signed 23 international cooperation agreements.