09 July 2022
Though China now has more than 1.7 kg of lunar soil gathered from its historic Chang'e 5 mission, the government practices a prudent policy when it comes to distributing these valuable samples to researchers. Considering this, a group of researchers at China University of Geosciences has figured out a solution, which they call a novel method for the simultaneous analysis of particle size and mineralogy for lunar soil with minimum sample consumption. They have published their method in the latest edition of the scientific journal Science China－Earth Sciences.
MORE...
06 July 2022
A 25 m2 de-orbiting sail, developed by Institute 805 of SAST, was unfolded on 26 June. The sail was mounted on the payload of the CZ-2D, launched on 23 June. The sail is designed to accelerate the decay of payloads of up to 300 kg within 2 years. It is made of extra-thin materials and its thickness is less than one tenth of the diameter of a hair. Such light, highly extendable textiles mean that the sail system can be installed onboard any mature spacecraft, according to the SAST.
MORE...
06 July 2022
Scientific endeavors aboard China's space station are expected to bear fruits, as the SZ-14 taikonauts have devoted more time to microgravity experiments on the orbiting core module Tianhe since entering it a month ago. The crew has conducted microbial tests in water, air and surface samples, aiming to ensure that they can stay safe and comfortable during the six-month spaceflight. They also installed a device for carbon dioxide reduction and regeneration in their orbiting home. In the latest update, the trio was seen undergoing an eye examination and medical aid training. Also, the SZ-14 taikonauts will deliver a livestream science lecture at China's space station lab module Wentian, which is scheduled to be launched this month.
MORE...
06 July 2022
As of 29 June, the Tianwen 1 orbiter has been operating normally for 706 days. It has acquired medium-resolution image data covering the whole globe of Mars, according to CNSA. The high stability of the Zhurong rover, operating on Mars' surface, is also owed to the excellent performance of the wheels on the rover. Researchers from the Institute of Metal Research of the Chinese Academy of Sciences have developed a new material for the wheels on the rover. The novel material is an aluminum matrix silicon carbide composite. Its plasticity was enhanced with high strength, resistance and stability. The researchers have also developed more than 50 types of components such as driving systems and detectors for Zhurong.
MORE...
07 July 2022
The Chang'e 4 lander and the Yutu 2 rover have been switched to dormant mode for the lunar night after working stably for a 44th lunar day.
The lander was switched to dormant mode on 6 July at 6:00 BJT, and Yutu-2 on 5 July at 19:14 BJT, according to CNSA's Lunar Exploration and Space Programme Centre.
MORE...
07 July 2022
According to Feng Fei, the provincial governor of Hainan Island, China's first space launch site dedicated to commercial missions started construction in Wenchang on 6 July. The Hainan Commercial Space Launch Site programme is a joint venture of the Hainan government and 3 State-owned space conglomerates－CASC, CASIC and China Satellite Network Group. The site's construction is being undertaken by China Aerospace Construction Group.
The intention is to establish an entire space industry chain covering carrier rockets, satellites and data processing businesses. While the existing Wenchang Space Launch Centre is administered by the central government and is primarily tasked with serving State programs, the new space port will be fully commercially managed.
MORE...