Recently, China successfully launched the Chang'e-6 lunar spacecraft, marking the first sample return to the far side of the moon. Meanwhile, India's lunar probe, Luna-3, lost contact in September this year and failed. The comparison between the development of the two countries in the field of aerospace has triggered extensive discussions in the outside world.
The remarkable achievements of China's lunar landing program
This is China's sixth lunar exploration mission and the most complex lunar exploration to date. Chang'e-6 carries a variety of scientific devices, and its main mission is to collect rock and lunar soil samples in the cold depression of the moon's south pole and bring them back to Earth. This is the first time in the history of human spaceflight that samples have been returned from the far side of the moon.
China's Chang'e project began in 2007, and after more than a decade of accumulation, China has become the third country after the United States and Russia to successfully achieve a soft landing on the moon and return samples. This fully demonstrates China's strong aerospace strength and technological level.
At the same time, China is actively inviting other countries to participate in lunar exploration. Chang'e-6 has carried a number of scientific installations from the European Space Agency, Italy, France, Pakistan and other countries and regions. This reflects China's concept of open space cooperation and provides opportunities for countries to participate in deep space exploration.
The thwart of India's lunar program
In contrast, India's lunar exploration has been slower. In August this year, India successfully launched the Luna-3 lander and orbiter, which was supposed to be a major breakthrough for India. But a month later, Luna-3 suddenly lost communication with Earth. India's lunar landing plan has failed once again.
This is not the first time India has encountered difficulties in lunar exploration. In 2008, India's first lunar probe, Chandrayaan-1, was launched shortly after its orbit deviated from its intended orbit and eventually crashed to the surface of the moon. Last year, India's Chandrayaan-2, which attempted to land at the south pole of the moon, also failed in its final stages and failed to land.
The failures have raised questions about India's space technology. Some Indian experts pointed out that India's current rocket carrying capacity is insufficient to complete the accurate launch of the lunar rover. In addition, the imperfect design of the Indian lunar rover itself was also one of the reasons for its failure. Japanese media commented that India's lunar exploration is still in the stage of "trial and error".
India needs to rethink its own space development course
Although India has made some progress in space technology in recent years, it still has a long way to go before it can truly become a space power. The heavy cost paid by India for multiple lunar exploration failures should prompt the Indian government to rethink its space development strategy.
First of all, India needs to increase investment in space research and industry. At present, India's space budget is relatively small, and there is still a big gap between China's scientific research conditions and China's other space powers. In addition, India should improve project management to increase the success rate of missions.
Second, India should actively seek international cooperation to absorb the technology and experience of other countries. China's many successful missions to the moon have provided valuable lessons for India. If the two countries can carry out some degree of space cooperation, it will be mutually beneficial and win-win.
Finally, India needs to maintain its strategic focus and not waver in its determination to continue to carry out in-depth space exploration because of a single failure. China's path to lunar exploration was not all smooth sailing, but it was a great success. This is also instructive for India.
The failure of India's lunar program has fully exposed the shortcomings of India's space technology and raised a profound warning to India. The Indian government must recognize the reality and adjust its strategy in order to truly promote the development of its space industry. At the same time, cooperation with China and other space powers will also bring important reference and help to India.