🚨🇮🇷🚀Iran enters the lunar race, joining China's Chang'e-8 mission

Iran will design a key scientific instrument for China’s 2028 mission. The payload will measure the Moon’s ELECTRIC POTENTIAL—critical for understanding lunar dust & future resource extraction.

IRANIAN TECHNOLOGY CONTRIBUTION

The key instrument Iran will develop is a sophisticated payload designed to measure the static electric potential on the lunar surface.

This instrument is critical because the Moon's surface becomes electrically charged from constant solar wind and radiation. The data it collects will be vital for solving the problem of hazardous, sticky lunar dust and for planning how to mine the Moon's resources in the future.

THE BIGGER PICTURE:

🟠This is Iran’s strategic entry into the China-Russia-led International Lunar Research Station (ILRS).

🟠The ILRS is the direct competitor to the US-led Artemis Program.

🟠We are witnessing the formation of two distinct lunar exploration blocs.

WHY IT MATTERS:

🔸For Iran: This is a massive leap. They're transitioning from national orbital projects to a core role in a major multinational endeavor.

They gain access to cutting-edge tech & secure a seat at the table for the next chapter of space exploration.

🔸For the ILRS: This adds another key partner to its growing coalition, expanding its influence, especially in the Global South.

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