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Iran to build payload to measure lunar electric potential for China project: Space agency head

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 22 November 2025 3:41 PM

The Iranian Space Agency (ISA) will design and build a scientific payload to be deployed on the surface of the Moon to measure the lunar electric potential as part of China's Chang'e‑8 mission.

Speaking on Saturday, ISA director Hassan Salariyeh emphasized that Iran needs international cooperation and the capacities of partner countries in the space industry to use extraterrestrial resources, given the high costs and advanced technology involved.

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.

According to Salariyeh, Chang'e‑8 is one of China's key initiatives under the ILRS framework, focusing on lunar surface exploitation and exploration.

"Following extensive technical consultations, China has placed trust in Iranian researchers and scientists in the space industry," he said.

As part of the Chang'e‑8 mission, an Iranian research and academic center will construct a scientific payload to be deployed on the lunar surface by the probe.

Salariyeh pointed out that the Chinese government officially announced Iran's participation in the program and its role in the lander mission on China's Space Technology Day on April 24.

"We 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," he explained.

He described Iran's collaboration in this international lunar exploration project as "a very valuable opportunity" and expressed hope that the country's participation will pave the way for Iran to join nations advancing toward the exploitation of lunar and planetary resources.