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Review
In the vastness of the universe, the Moon has always been a mysterious territory for human exploration. From the magnificent moon landing of the American Apollo to the precise landing of China's Chang'e-5, every trip to the moon has revealed new mysteries for us.
But in the midst of these historic moments, there was one detail that caused widespread discussion - the display of the flag on the moon. The American flag seems to be flying on the windless moon, while the Chinese five-star red flag remains flat. What is the science behind this?
Apollo moon landing
In the space race of the 20th century, the Apollo program of the United States can be called the pinnacle of human space exploration. On July 20, 1969, the Apollo 11 spacecraft successfully landed in the Tranquil Sea with two astronauts, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin. This moment marks the first time that human beings have set foot on the surface of the moon and achieved the great feat of "one small step, one big step".
The journey of Apollo 11 was full of challenges and innovations. Since the launch of the rocket, the eyes of the world have been glued to this spacecraft.
It carries the hope and curiosity of mankind, travels 380,000 kilometers in space, and finally reaches that ancient and mysterious celestial body. This unprecedented breakthrough not only shows the achievements of human science and technology, but also symbolizes the courage and spirit of exploration.
During the moon landing, astronauts not only have to deal with complex missions and unknown environments, but also have to overcome the gravitational constraints of the Earth to achieve a precise landing.
When Armstrong announced that "the eagle had landed," the whole world was cheered. They left human footprints on the moon, collected precious lunar samples, and planted the American flag, a symbol of victory, in that distant land.
While the Apollo 11 mission was a great success, it also left behind some mysteries and extensive discussions. One such mystery is the display of the American flag on the moon.
Due to the lack of atmosphere on the Moon, it is impossible for the flag to fly as it does on Earth. However, due to the design of the flagpole and the actions of the astronauts when it was installed, the flag looked as if it was "flying".
This peculiar phenomenon has aroused people's curiosity and has become a fascinating and interesting topic in popular science education. It also makes us realize that when exploring the unknown, sometimes the laws of nature can give us surprising illusions.
Doubts about Apollo
The Apollo moon landing was a great feat in human history, but it also gave rise to questions and conspiracy theories. Some have questioned this history and have even put forward a series of theories about whether the Apollo moon landings actually happened, arguing that it may have been just an elaborate hoax.
First of all, it has been pointed out that the phenomenon of the American flag "fluttering" on the moon is not logical, because the moon is not windy like the earth, so it is impossible to see the fluttering flag.
This raises questions about the authenticity of the moon landing. However, the scientists explained that the power generated by the astronauts when they installed the flag made the flag swing, and that this swing would last longer in a lunar environment with no air resistance.
Conspiracy theorists also feel that the shadows in the moon landing photos are not in the right direction, suggesting that there may be multiple light sources, but that the only light source on the moon should be the sun. Scientists explain that this is due to the illusion caused by the ruggedness of the moon's surface and the reflection of light.
Others asked why there were no stars in the photos of the moon landing. Experts explain that when taking photos on the surface of the moon, the camera's exposure settings are designed to capture the view in the sun, not to photograph the stars in the sky.
In addition, there are questions about whether astronauts will be exposed to lethal space radiation when they return to Earth. However, scientists note that the Apollo's flight trajectory was carefully calculated to avoid most of the radiation area.
At the same time, the design of the spacesuit and spacecraft provides the necessary protection from the dangerous effects of radiation.
Unfurled flag
Although doubts have always existed, after various decryptions, both professionals in the aerospace industry and civilian enthusiasts have long recognized the authenticity of the Apollo program. But as China's flag unfurls on the moon, the debate about whether the United States has ever landed on the moon has once again become lively.
On the quiet and distant celestial body of the moon, the raising of the national flag always carries a special solemnity and symbolism. China's Chang'e-5 mission successfully landed on the moon in 2020 and displayed a distinctive five-star red flag.
This flag is different from ordinary cloth in that it uses a special material - high-performance aramid fibers. The material is not only resistant to extreme temperature changes, but also retains its vibrant colors, even in an unprotected environment like the moon, for long periods of time.
China's flag is cleverly designed, with a unique two-stage pole structure, which allows the flag to stand flat and upright on the moon without atmosphere.
This design not only showcases China's progress in materials science and aerospace technology, but also highlights the extreme attention and meticulous design to the detail of the flag display. This exhibition not only represents scientific and technological and engineering achievements, but also a clear expression of national self-confidence and dignity.
In contrast, the American flag in Project Apollo looks as if it is fluttering, due to the visual effect caused by its design and installation. On the moon, due to the lack of air, American astronauts had to use a kind of flagpole with horizontal supports when installing the flag to ensure that the flag was unfurled.
However, this support was not fully extended, causing the flag to take on a wavy shape. When an astronaut inserts the flagpole into the lunar soil, the flag swings due to inertia, and in the absence of air resistance, this swing looks like it is fluttering.
These two distinct national flags not only reflect the uniqueness of their respective countries in space technology, but also become an interesting footnote in the history of human space exploration.
Whether it is a flat five-star red flag or a fluctuating star-striped banner, they all symbolize the courage and determination of mankind to forge ahead in the unknown world. In the midst of these challenges and explorations, humanity's footprints in space have become a profound symbol that inspires us to continue to move forward bravely.
epilogue
In the journey of human exploration of space, the different national flags displayed by the Apollo program and the Chang'e mission are symbols of courage, technology and innovation. The unique way in which these flags are displayed on the moon has become a shining stroke in human history, recording our small steps and giant leaps in the unknown universe.
These space journeys not only showcase the achievements of technology, but also inspire us to continue to move forward and chase the dream of the stars and the sea. In this ever-expanding universe, our courage and determination will continue to propel us into the unknown and to explore further frontiers.
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