Salare pointed out that one of the most prominent axes of Iran’s ten-year space plan focuses on space science and exploration, including biological capsules, and exploring resources on other celestial bodies, explaining that entering the field of benefiting from cosmic resources requires international cooperation due to its high cost and the advanced technology required.

He explained that there are two major global programs in the field of space exploration and exploitation of lunar resources: the first is the “Artemis” program led by the United States with the participation of several Western and Eastern countries, and the second is the ILRS program led by China and Russia. Both programs are considered among the most prominent space powers in the world, and several countries participate in them.

Salaré added that the Chinese Chang’e program represents an important step in lunar exploration, and that the trust that China granted to Iranian researchers enabled the inclusion of an Iranian research payload on board Chang’e-8. He noted that Iran officially joined the program during China’s Space Technology Day on April 24, 2025.

He pointed out that the payload that Iran is working on aims to measure the static electrical potential on the surface of the moon, which is extremely important for studies of future exploitation of the moon, considering that this participation represents a valuable opportunity for international cooperation in the field of lunar exploration.

Salare concluded by saying that Iran’s participation in this program represents a preliminary step for the country to become among the leading countries in exploiting the resources of the moon and other planets.