\n The file photo shows a view of Moon limb with Earth rising on the horizon.
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The Iranian Space Agency (ISA)\u00a0will design and build a scientific payload\u00a0to be deployed on the surface of the Moon to\u00a0measure the lunar electric potential as part of\u00a0China\u2019s Chang\u2019e\u20118 mission.<\/p>\n
Speaking on Saturday, ISA director\u00a0Hassan Salariyeh emphasized that Iran needs\u00a0international cooperation and the capacities of partner countries in the space industry to use extraterrestrial resources, given the high costs and advanced technology involved.<\/p>\n
He noted that two major programs are currently underway worldwide in the field of space exploration and lunar resource exploitation: The Artemis program, led by the United States in collaboration with Western and some Eastern countries, and the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) program, primarily managed by China and Russia.<\/p>\n
According to Salariyeh, Chang\u2019e\u20118 is one of China\u2019s key initiatives under the ILRS framework, focusing on lunar surface exploitation and exploration.<\/p>\n
\u201cFollowing extensive technical consultations, China has placed trust in Iranian researchers and scientists in the space industry,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
As part of the Chang\u2019e\u20118 mission, an Iranian research and academic center will construct a scientific payload to be deployed on the lunar surface by the probe.<\/p>\n
Salariyeh pointed out that\u00a0the Chinese government officially announced Iran\u2019s participation in the program and its role in the lander mission\u00a0on China\u2019s Space Technology Day on\u00a0April 24.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are working on a payload to measure static electric potential on the lunar surface. Since the distribution of electric charge on the Moon is not uniform, such measurements are crucial for future exploitation,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n
He described Iran\u2019s collaboration in this international lunar exploration project as \u201ca very valuable opportunity\u201d and expressed hope that the country\u2019s participation will pave the way for Iran to join nations advancing toward the exploitation of lunar and planetary resources.<\/p>\n
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