China?¯s moon probe project is made up of ??three steps?¯: circling around the moon, moon landing, and returning to earth. Chinese scientists have recently proposed scientific objectives and engineering targets for each phase.
Phase I is scheduled to launch a moon probe satellite around 2007. The satellite will fly around the moon orbit, making prescribed observations.
Phase I probe expects to accomplish the following scientific objectives: collecting 3-D Moon surface images, mapping basic terrains and structural units, and drawing up a geological and tectonic sketch of the Moon as a reference for the subsequent landing. Meanwhile, researchers will analyze the concentration of different elements and distribution of different types of matters on the Moon's surface, in an attempt to understand utility elements on the planet and produce an element distribution chart. Attempts will also be made to understand the Moon?¯s soil properties, depth, and the reserves of Helium-3 in soil. In addition, researchers will study the space environment surrounding the Moon, collect primitive data on solar winds, and explore the impacts of solar activities on earth-moon space environment.
In phase I, engineers will work on the following missions: developing and launching China?¯s first moon probe satellite; mastering basic technologies concerning moon probe activities; making the first scientific moon expedition; establishing a preliminary moon probe engineering system, and gathering knowledge for subsequent moon probe activities.
Phase II project is featured with a mission to land on the Moon. China will launch a moon lander around 2012. The lander will make a soft landing on the Moon, carrying a moon rover that will make automatic surveys.
In Phase II, scientists are supposed to accomplish the following missions: studying the Moon?¯s continental terrains and tectonics; measuring the environment where the landing is made, and measuring thermal currents and rock remanence at the landing spot; studying the Moon?¯s internal structures; collecting and analyzing rock specimens; studying rocks?¯ chemical and mineral elements at the landing spot; and making sun-earth-moon observations, and the moon based astronomical observations.
In this part of the probe activities, engineers will accomplish the missions, including launching a moon lander, and testing soft landing techniques; developing and launching a moon rover, a moon robot able to take high resolution pictures; and collecting chemical and physical data on the Moon?¯s environment, shape, and rocks, as a reference for the subsequent base site selection.
The final phase marks a return to earth. China will send a lander to the Moon. It is supposed to return to earth with collected moon rock samples. Researchers on the ground will analyze and study the samples. The lander expects to launch around 2017.
In this harvesting phase, scientists will explore and study the landing spot. The lander will take moon samples wit it when retuning to earth. Scientists will study the samples, using petrologic, mineralogical, isotope, and chemical means. Based on the analysis of the Moon?¯s matter composition, researchers will further their studies in the direction of the origins of the moon and earth systems and associated evolutions, widening their knowledge in the field.
In this phase, engineers will develop a moon rover, a return capsule able to collect moon samples, a moon surface driller, a moon sample collector, and a mechanical arm. Based on in-situ sample analysis, the return capsule will collect needed samples before heading for earth. The rover will conduct surveys at the landing spot, and collect data necessary for the future manned moon probe and selecting a site for establishing an outpost on the Moon. |
