"We do not know yet whether [Russia's] state corporation Roscosmos has received any requests in this regard from the Ethiopian side [regarding Ethiopia's participation in the International Scientific Lunar Station project, ILRS]. At the same time, we expect that options for Ethiopia's participation in Russian space research programs may be discussed on the margins of the meeting of the heads of space agencies of the BRICS countries, which is going to take place in Moscow in May this year. The Ethiopian partners have already confirmed their participation in this event," the diplomat said.
The ambassador added that the first time Ethiopia's initiative to join Russian-Chinese projects for an unmanned space mission to the moon and the ILRS was discussed was in April 2023.
In March 2021, Russia and China signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in building the ILRS. The construction of the station is planned in two stages, starting from 2025. The facility 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 observation.