There will be big moves in this area!

Looking for water on the moon, collecting samples on Mars...these plots in science fiction novels are gradually becoming reality.

In the white paper "China's Space in 2021" released by the State Council Information Office not long ago, the plans for major space missions such as the full construction and operation of the Chinese space station, the implementation of the fourth phase of the lunar exploration project, and the completion of the return of samples from Mars have attracted widespread attention. Recently, Wu Weiren, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and chief designer of the Chinese lunar exploration project, "spoiled" my country's future major moves in the field of deep space exploration in an interview with reporters.

Chang'e will search for water on the moon

It is reported that after years of demonstration, the fourth phase of China's lunar exploration project has officially passed the project approval at the end of 2021. It will be implemented in three steps, and it is planned to launch Chang'e 6, Chang'e 7 and Chang'e 8 before 2030. The development work is currently progressing smoothly.

What are the specific tasks of the "Chang'e"? Wu Weiren introduced that Chang'e 6 plans to return samples from the lunar polar region, and strive to collect one to two kilograms of samples from the lunar polar region and return to Earth; Chang'e 7 plans to land at the lunar south pole, survey lunar resources, and find a landing point; Chang'e 8 will work in conjunction with Chang'e 7, and its main task is to survey how to develop and utilize the resources at the lunar south pole.

"A flyby was also developed for the fourth phase of the lunar exploration project. After landing, the flyby will be used to fly from the landing point to the direction of the lunar craters where water ice may exist to conduct surveys and collect samples." Wu Weiren said that Chang'e 6 and Chang'e 7 are expected to be launched around 2025.

On December 4, 2020, the National Space Administration released a photo of the Chang'e-5 lunar exploration probe displaying the national flag on the surface of the moon. (Photo provided by Xinhua News Agency, National Space Administration)

"Finding water" is conducive to the long-term operation of the lunar scientific research station

Why did Chang'e look for water at the lunar South Pole? Wu Weiren said that if water could be found, the scientific research station at the lunar South Pole could operate for a long time. It would also be beneficial for humans to conduct short-term exploration at the lunar South Pole in the future.

The main goal of the fourth phase of the lunar exploration project is to conduct scientific exploration of the lunar South Pole and establish a basic lunar scientific research station. Wu Weiren told reporters that the reason for choosing to build the station at the South Pole is that there may be polar day and polar night at the lunar South Pole. During the polar day, there may be more than 180 days of continuous sunlight. Setting up a scientific research station here may be more conducive to long-term work.

Wu Weiren said that the plan is to first build a basic scientific research station, which is equivalent to a management center and command center, and then gradually improve it. In addition to carrying out these missions, several more missions will be carried out after 2030, and the international lunar space station will be completed by 2035 and can be operated for a long time.

"In the future international lunar research station, there will be a command center to direct multiple rovers and landers to work together on the lunar surface, establish a lunar communication network on the moon, and use the international lunar research station as a transit station for deep space exploration flying to the solar system or even deeper into space," Wu Weiren envisioned.

Deep space exploration has no end

my country's first Mars exploration mission, Tianwen-1, successfully orbited, landed, and patrolled Mars. When will Tianwen-2 be launched? What other plans does my country have for planetary exploration?

On March 4, 2021, the National Space Administration released high-definition images of Mars taken by the Tianwen-1 probe, my country's first Mars exploration mission. (Photo courtesy of the National Space Administration, Xinhua News Agency)

Wu Weiren believes that my country's deep space exploration will continue for a long time, "as fast as possible and as far as possible."

According to the plan, my country will successively implement Tianwen-2, Tianwen-3, Tianwen-4 and other missions.

Wu Weiren said that we are still exploring the solar system, and we may enter the Milky Way in the future. In a few years, it is not impossible to explore the entire universe. In the future, the main task is to explore asteroids in deep space and hope to sample asteroids. In this way, my country is expected to become a country with asteroid samples.

"In addition, there are some other plans in the future, such as exploring Venus and asteroids in deep space, especially early warning of asteroids that pose a threat to humans and may collide or threaten the Earth," said Wu Weiren.

Source: Xinhua News Agency