China lunar robotic missions at the Moon’s south pole, scouting for evidence of water.
Image credit: CCTV/Inside Outer Space screengrab
China’s Moon exploration plans are being detailed, a step-by-step program leading to the development of the country’s International Lunar Research Station.
Headed for the Moon around 2026 is the robotic Chang’e-7 mission, built to explore the lunar south pole, specifically to gather data regarding the evidence of water. If confirmed, such deposits could enable future lunar exploration goals by providing drinking water, oxygen and rocket fuel production capabilities.
The subsequent mission in 2028, Chang’e-8, is to test technologies for building habitats using lunar soil.
China is moving forward on lunar soil brick technology to support the International Lunar Research Station, or ILRS, on the Moon. Chang’e-8 is also to spearhead the building of communication systems and energy systems.
Image credit: CCTV/Inside Outer Space screengrab
Brick by brick
In a China Central Television (CCTV) interview, Wu Weiren, chief designer of the Chinese Lunar Exploration Program said: “Now we have developed the world’s first device that produces bricks made of lunar soil. This system harnesses sunlight, collects solar energy, and transmits it to the Moon using fiber optics.”
Wu added that, by concentrating the sunlight, temperatures between 1400 to 1500 degrees Celsius, can be attained, which is sufficient to melt lunar soil.
“Our device then utilizes 3D printing technology to shape the molten material into bricks of various specifications. This approach allows us to utilize resources found on the Moon, free from transporting water and other materials from the Earth,” Wu told CCTV.
China lunar research station planning underway.
Image credit: CCTV/Inside Outer Space screengrab
Once verified, the lunar soil brick technology will provide key support for the ILRS, Wu said.
Higher stage
“I hope more countries, more international scientific research institutions and more foreign scientists will participate in the construction of our entire project,” said Wu.
“I think in the next 10 to 20 years,” Wu continued, “we should mainly take the international lunar research station as a starting point or as a guide to push the lunar exploration program to a higher stage.”
Wu took part Tuesday in an exhibition at the National Museum of China that highlights two decades of China’s lunar exploration program.
For details, go to this CCTV video at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AfaOiDsSpko