At the 13th China Airshow, the lunar samples were once again met with the public, attracting a group of fans to come and watch. The China National Space Administration explained in detail the design ideas and connotations of the three exhibits.
Chang'e-5 probe model
Lunar rover model
On December 2, 2020, Chang'e 5 successfully landed in the northern part of the Lumk Mountains of the lunar frontal storm ocean and collected 1731 grams of lunar samples. On December 17, 2020, Chang'e 5 successfully returned to Earth with samples. This is the second successful sample return from the Moon after a lapse of 44 years.
One of the exhibits is called "Bright Moon Shines On Me". Its overall configuration resembles a full moon rising slowly from sea level, and its trapezoidal base is made of special glass, and the spherical shape of a full moon is an optical magnifying glass. Inside the sample box in the middle of the spherical shape is a lunar sample with a weight of 77 mg.
The national flag and lunar soil storage tank displayed on the lunar surface of the Chang'e-5 mission
The base is designed with three steps, symbolizing the three-step strategy of "circling, falling and returning" of the lunar exploration project, step by step. The base is 17 centimeters wide, symbolizing the 17-year period from the implementation of the lunar exploration project in 2004 to the retrieval of the first lunar sample by Chang'e-5 at the end of 2020. The overall height of the exhibits is 22.89 centimeters, symbolizing the 22.89 days of the Chang'e-5 mission from launch to return.
The name of the second exhibit is "Bright Moon born on the sea". Its overall configuration is like a full moon slowly rising from sea level, consisting of a trapezoidal base and a hemispherical optical magnifying glass, which integrates the ancient concept of "heavenly round place" and demonstrates Chinese wisdom and culture. The center contained 75 mg of lunar samples, the bottom side of the base is 22.89 cm long, symbolizing that the Chang'e-5 mission lasted 22.89 days; the upper side of the base is 17.31 cm long, symbolizing that Chang'e-5 collected 1731 grams of lunar samples. The height is 17 centimeters, symbolizing the 17-year lunar exploration project.
Observe the lunar soil under a microscope
The third exhibit is to show you a sample of the moon under a magnifying glass. They are all soil-like mixtures, and under the microscope, the moon soil is gray-black, and the particles are more delicate and sharp than the earth's soil. This is due to the formation of space weathering on the lunar surface due to meteorite impacts, solar wind bombardment and cosmic ray radiation.
It is understood that in addition to titanium, iron, uranium, rare earth and other resources, the lunar soil is also rich in chromium, nickel, potassium, sodium, magnesium, silicon and other mineral resources. Of particular note is the very high content of helium-3 in lunar soil, which holds promise for energy for Earth and future lunar development.