How China’s Chang’e 5 could take giant leap for world’s space missions
- Other countries may learn from its sampling of lunar rocks and soil for their own space programmes, including Mars exploration
- The mission, using tools designed in Hong Kong, is the first attempt by any country to collect lunar samples in more than 40 years
“In sampling on the moon surface, the most valuable are those special rocks,” Professor Yung Kai-leung of Hong Kong Polytechnic University said. “The composition of the surface dust is more or less the same, but the rocks are different – they have much higher scientific value.”
“We will use our system’s near-field cameras for vision guidance in selecting samples that we are interested in,” said Yung.
The samplers and container developed by Yung’s team at Hong Kong Polytechnic University are at the core of the Chang’e 5 mission to sample lunar rocks and soil – the first attempt by any country in more than 40 years since mankind’s last lunar mission in 1976. It is the most ambitious mission of China’s lunar programme.
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China launches Chang’e-5 mission to bring back rocks from moon
If successful, other countries may look to China’s sampling experiences for their own space programmes, including future Mars exploration, other scientists have said.
