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WASHINGTON, Apr 15The plans of Russia and China for the exploration of the Moon, including joint projects, demonstrate the scale of strategic competition in space and the importance that the Moon represents today for all countries, John Olson, a representative of the US Space Command, said at a briefing.
«I think this is a reflection of broader strategic competition,» he said.
The military reminded that so far Since then, the United States is the only country whose representative has visited it.
According to the new lunar program of the States «Artemis», which began under the administration of Donald Trump, the Americans plan to carry out a new landing on the moon in 2025. A manned flight around the natural satellite of the Earth is planned for 2024, and as part of Artemis, the creation of the near-lunar station Gateway is also being prepared.
Earlier, Moscow and Beijing agreed on the joint establishment of the International Scientific Lunar Station. It is expected that this will take place in two stages from 2025 to 2035, after which it will begin operation. The station will include research, power, takeoff and landing, orbital and experimental modules, as well as a command center, a transmitting satellite, a telecommunications station and modules for technology verification and surveillance.