The National Interste, March 14, 2021
Earlier this week, China’s National Space Administration and Russia’s Roscosmos issued a memorandum of understanding outlining the construction of a space outpost called the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS).
“China and Russia will use their accumulated experience in space science, research and development as well as the use of space equipment and space technology to jointly develop a road map for the construction of an international lunar scientific research station (ILRS),” read a statement by China’s chief space agency. According to the Chinese government, the joint initiative will include “planning, demonstration, design, development, implementation, and operation of scientific research station projects, including project promotion to the international aerospace community.”
A new report concedes that much about the observed phenomena remains difficult to explain, including their acceleration, as well as ability to change direction and submerge.
he report determines that a vast majority of more than 120 incidents over the past two decades did not originate from any American military or other advanced U.S. government technology, the officials said. That determination would appear to eliminate the possibility that Navy pilots who reported seeing unexplained aircraft might have encountered programs the government meant to keep secret.
“The real differentiator here is the acquisition strategy, with a lot of competition -- a lot of ‘fly before you buy’ -- built in,” CSIS' Tom Karako says. “The relatively longer NGI development timeline for homeland ballistic missile defense can be mitigated by near-term improvements” in ground missile defense.