Nasa says it will work with Chinese space agency on lunar landing research

Discussions have been held with China National Space Administration and cooperation will be ‘transparent, reciprocal and mutually beneficial’

Nasa scientists have been exchanging data with Chinese team since Chang’e 4 soft landing, and its lunar orbiter will take pictures of the site

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The Chang’e 4 made a historic soft landing on the far side of the moon on January 3. Photo: China National Space Administration/Xinhua via AP

Published: 6:57pm, 19 Jan 2019Updated: 11:26pm, 19 Jan 2019

Nasa has confirmed that it will work with its Chinese counterpart on lunar landing research, saying the cooperation would be “transparent, reciprocal and mutually beneficial”.

In a statement on Friday, Nasa said it had held discussions with the China National Space Administration “to explore the possibility of observing a signature of the landing plume” of the Chinese lunar lander Chang’e 4, using its own spacecraft’s instruments.

The Chang’e 4 made a historic soft landing on the far side of the moon on January 3.

Nasa’s statement confirmed a similar announcement by Wu Yanhua, deputy chief commander of the China Lunar Exploration Programme, that US space scientists had sought permission to use its spacecraft and relay satellite to help them plan a future mission.

Nasa said its scientists had been exchanging, collecting and analysing data with the Chinese team since the soft landing, and its lunar orbiter was expected to pass over and take pictures of the landing site on January 31.

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