Poster Maker: Song Chen
Go to the moon to find water, go to Mars to sample... The plots of these science fiction novels are gradually entering reality.
In the "2021 China Aerospace" white paper recently released by the Information Office of the State Council, the planning of 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 Mars sample return has attracted wide attention. Recently, Wu Weiren, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and chief designer of China's lunar exploration project, "spoiled" the mainland's big moves in the field of deep space exploration in the future in an interview with reporters.
"Chang'e" will "find 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. Specifically, 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, and the current development work is progressing smoothly.
What is the specific mission of the "Chang'e"? Wu Weiren introduced that Chang'e 6 plans to return from sampling in the lunar polar region and strive to collect one kilogram to two kilograms of samples from the lunar polar region to return to the earth; Chang'e 7 plans to land at the lunar south pole to survey the lunar resources and find a landing site; Chang'e 8 will work in concert with Chang'e 7, and the main task is to investigate how to develop and utilize the resources of the lunar south pole.
"The fourth phase of the lunar exploration project also developed a leaper, and after landing, the leaper was used to fly from the landing site to the direction of the lunar pit where there may be water ice, to carry out 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 China National Space Administration released a photo of the lunar exploration project Chang'e-5 probe displaying the national flag on the lunar surface. (Photo courtesy of China National Space Administration)
"Finding water" is conducive to the long-term operation of the lunar research station
Why did Chang'e look for water at the south pole of the moon? Wu Weiren introduced that if water can be found, the scientific research station at the south pole of the moon can run for a long time. At the same time, it is also conducive to human beings to conduct short-term exploration at the south pole of the moon in the future.
The main goal of the fourth phase of the lunar exploration project is to carry out scientific exploration of the lunar south pole and establish the basic type of lunar research station. Wu Weiren told reporters that the reason for choosing to build a station in the South Pole is because there may be polar day and polar night phenomena in the south pole of the moon, and there may be more than 180 consecutive days of light during the polar day, and the establishment of scientific research stations here may be more conducive to long-term work.
Wu Weiren said that it is planned to build a basic scientific research station first, equivalent to a management center and command center, and then gradually improve it. In addition to these missions, there will be several more missions after 2030, and strive to build the International Lunar Space Station by 2035, which can be operated for a long time.
"On the future International Lunar Research Station, there will be a command center to command 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 deep space exploration transit station flying to the solar system or farther." Wu Weiren envisioned it this way.
Deep space exploration is endless
Tianwen-1, the continent's first Mars exploration mission, successfully achieved orbit, landing and patrol exploration of Mars. When will Tianwen-2 be launched? What are the continent's planetary exploration projects?
On March 4, 2021, the China National Space Administration released a high-definition image of Mars taken by the Tianwen-1 probe, the mainland's first Mars exploration mission. (Photo courtesy of China National Space Administration)
Wu Weiren believes that the mainland's deep space exploration will continue for a long time, "how fast can we go, how far can we go."
According to the plan, the mainland will also successively carry out tasks such as Tianwen-2, Tianwen-3, and Tianwen-4.
Wu Weiren said that we are still exploring the solar system, and may enter the Milky Way in the future, and in a few years, it is not impossible to detect the entire universe. Subsequently, the main task is to probe asteroids in deep space, hoping to sample asteroids, so that the continent is also expected to become a country with asteroid samples.
"In addition, there are other plans in the future, such as the detection of Venus, the detection of asteroids in deep space, especially some asteroids that pose a threat to humans and may hit or threaten the earth to warn." Wu Weiren said.
Source: Xinhua News Agency