China moves closer to building a scientific base on the Moon
Lunar probe Chang’e-5 – Photo: CGTN
Beijing recently announced a series of ambitious Moon exploration projects, including the construction of a base for scientists to reside. Asia Times.
China will start the fourth phase of its lunar exploration program in 2022, said Wu Yanhua, deputy director of the China National Space Administration (CNSA).
The main objective of this phase is to conduct scientific exploration at the South pole of the Moon, creating favorable conditions for the permanent construction of a habitable science base on the Moon.
The lunar exploration program is divided into 3 phases: the first phase – “Orbiting the Moon”, the second – “Moon Landing” and the third – “Returning from the Moon”.
Wu’s statement suggests that the fourth phase of China’s lunar exploration program can be described as “above the Moon”.
The lunar exploration program, to serve China’s lunar science base project, consists of three steps.
Step 1, China is expected to launch three lunar probes: Chang’e-6, Chang’e-7 and Chang’e-8 before 2030.
Chang’e-6 will collect samples from the far side of the Moon, while Chang’e-7 will search for water and other resources at the Moon’s South pole. Finally, the Chang’e-8 vessel will be used to test on-site resource utilization and 3D printing technology.
Step 2 of the project will build a science station on the Moon.
Step 3 will focus on activities at the station to provide good conditions for global scientists to research.
In addition, China is planning to establish a constellation of satellites around the Moon for communication and navigation purposes.
China also just inaugurated an international cooperation center for satellite data and applications under CNSA, and a data center – application for remote sensing satellite constellations of BRICS countries (including economies of the world). emerging majors: Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa).
With a plan to build an asteroid defense system, CNSA plans to test in 2025-2026 by launching a monitoring satellite and deflecting an asteroid to avoid it hitting Earth.
In January, China and Russia announced plans to establish a joint base on the Moon by 2027 – eight years earlier than originally planned.
The 2011 Wolf Amendment prohibits NASA from cooperating in space with China without special approval from the US Congress. As a result, China was excluded from Artemis, the US-led program aimed at establishing a permanent presence on the Moon.
Russia has refused to join Artemis, saying the program is too focused on the US.
Russia also decided to withdraw from the International Space Station (ISS) due to sanctions imposed on Russia’s military campaign into Ukraine, cutting off one of the few remaining avenues for US-Russian cooperation.
at Blogtuan.info – Source: tuoitre.vn – Read the original article here
