When you make purchases through the links provided in our articles, Future and its syndication partners stand to earn a commission. The ongoing research efforts aimed at building China’s Chang’e 7 lunar exploration mission are nothing short of groundbreaking. One intriguing aspect of this mission involves the concept of sending a flag that possesses the unique ability to flutter in the moon’s extremely thin and delicate atmosphere.
Zhang Tianzhu, the esteemed deputy head of the Institute of Future Technology at the Deep Space Exploration Laboratory, shed light on this remarkable endeavor. “We understand that the moon is essentially a vacuum devoid of air, which presents a significant challenge in making a flag flutter as it would on Earth,” Zhang elaborated.
Established through a collaboration between the China National Space Administration and the University of Science and Technology of China, the Deep Space Exploration Laboratory commenced its operations in June 2022. With its headquarters located in Hefei, the capital city of Anhui, the laboratory also operates a branch in Beijing.
Zhang further explained the inventive solution employed for the flag’s fluttering mechanism, which involves the strategic placement of closed loop wires on the flag’s surface. These wires are designed to have access to a two-way positive and negative current, resulting in the unique ability for the flag to flutter through the interaction of electromagnetic fields.
Looking ahead, China is gearing up to launch its highly anticipated Chang’e 7 lunar lander mission with the primary objective of locating traces of water ice near the moon’s south pole by the year 2026. If successful, the deployment of the flag will mark a historic milestone as the first flag to flutter on the lunar surface.
In a related mission, Chang’e 6 had previously embarked on a journey to the moon’s far side carrying a stone flag, further emphasizing China’s commitment to lunar exploration.
The ambitious plans for China’s lunar exploration do not end there. The country is actively working towards the subsequent Chang’e 8 lunar lander mission as well as the development of the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS). This collaborative effort involves partnerships with Russia and other international entities with a shared interest in advancing lunar exploration.
Zhang shared insights into the overarching goal of establishing a sustainable and versatile scientific experimental facility on the lunar surface and in lunar orbit. This facility is envisioned to support long-term autonomous operations and short-term human involvement, ultimately culminating in the creation of an International Lunar Research Station by approximately 2035.
As the development of the popular science test payload continues to progress, Zhang emphasized the dedication and teamwork required to advance this pivotal mission. The teams involved are driven by a shared sense of purpose as they work towards achieving significant milestones in lunar exploration.
The vision for the International Lunar Research Station represents a monumental leap forward in humanity’s quest to expand our understanding of the lunar environment. Through collaboration and innovation, China, along with its international partners, is paving the way for a future where scientific exploration and discovery thrive in the vastness of space.
