In a significant development for the China-led International Lunar Research Station (ILRS), the Senegalese Space Study Agency (ASES) signed an agreement on cooperation with China National Space Administration (CNSA) on September 5, 2024. This agreement was signed during the second international conference on deep space exploration (Tiandu) in Tunxi, Anhui province.

The agreement, which expands the membership of the ILRS, was signed by Maram Kaire, head of ASES and Li Guoping, chief engineer of CNSA. This development coincided with the visit of the Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye for the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and a state visit.

The ILRS is currently aiming to establish a basic robotic station on the Moon by 2035, with plans for five launches to build necessary infrastructure for power, communication, and other operations. By 2045, an extended station capable of long-term human habitation is planned.

With this agreement, Senegal joins the ranks of other national-level ILRS participants such as Russia, Venezuela, Belarus, Pakistan, Azerbaijan, South Africa, Egypt, Nicaragua, Thailand, Serbia, and Kazakhstan.

Senegal has a burgeoning space industry that will greatly benefit from this collaboration with China and other countries involved in the ILRS.