More than One year ago on 24th November 2020, the Chang Zheng – Long March Five Carrier Rocket Launched away in CNSA – China National Space Administration China Wenchang spaceport launch, Change Five Lunar probe into orbit, opened up towards China – People’s Republic of China’s first celestial bodies sample return trip from Mons Rumker on the Lunar Surface of the moon New research achievements – Chinese scientists reveal the composition of lunar soil minerals and space wind at the landing site of Chang’e 5
Chang’e-5 team On October 1st 2023 on China’s National Day of the Founding of People’s Republic of China…. During the 74th International Astronautical Congress (IAC) opened in Baku, Azerbaijan. Scientists such as Schumacher, President of the International Academy of Astronautics, awarded the “Chang’e-5 team” to the Chinese Chang’e-5 team. Lawrence Team Award”. Chang’e-5 chief designer Hu Hao and others attended the award ceremony as team representatives and announced that Chang’e-5 lunar scientific research samples will soon be open to international applications. Scientists from all countries are welcome to jointly research and share results.
Chang’e-5 was China’s first unmanned lunar sample return mission.It was China’s most complex aerospace system project with the largest technical span at that time. It made breakthroughs in lunar surface sampling, lunar surface take-off and ascent, lunar orbit rendezvous and docking, sample transfer, and jump-type missions. Using key technologies such as re-entry and return, after an interlocking flight process, it brought back 1,731 grams of lunar samples, becoming the world’s largest unmanned lunar sampling mission with the largest single sampling volume. The Chang’e-5 mission is a vivid practice for my country to achieve high-level scientific and technological self-reliance. It has laid the foundation for subsequent unmanned lunar scientific research stations and manned lunar landings. It is another important milestone in my country’s aerospace development.
The “Lawrence Team Award” was established in 2001. It is one of the two major awards issued annually by the International Academy of Astronautics (IAA). It is the highest team honor of the International Academy of Astronautics and aims to recognize aerospace project teams that have made outstanding achievements in the field of aerospace. Chang’e-5’s outstanding achievements in technological innovation, scientific discovery, and international cooperation have won high recognition from international peers.
More than One year ago on 24th November 2020, the Chang Zheng – Long March Five Carrier Rocket Launched away in CNSA – China National Space Administration China Wenchang spaceport launch, Change Five Lunar probe into orbit, opened up towards China – People’s Republic of China’s first celestial bodies sample return trip from Mons Rumker on the Lunar Surface of the moon New research achievements – Chinese scientists reveal the composition of lunar soil minerals and space wind at the landing site of Chang’e 5
This is a schematic diagram of the magma and thermal evolution of the moon in different periods (drawn on October 20, 2022). Published by Xinhua News Agency (Photo courtesy of Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences)
Chinese scientists have proposed a new model of lunar thermal evolution based on the study of the Chang’e 5 lunar soil, revealing a mystery that has plagued academia: why the moon still had volcanic activity 2 billion years ago.
According to Chen Yi, a researcher at the Institute of Geology and Geophysics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the moon was formed about 4.5 billion years ago, and its mass is only about 1% of that of the earth. For such a small celestial body, in theory, it should cool rapidly and stop volcanoes very early. Activity and become a “dead” planet. The return of Chang’e-5 lunar soil samples has triggered a new round of lunar research upsurge. In October 2021, Chinese scientists published three articles in the journal “Nature”, revealing that lunar volcanic activity could last until 2 billion years ago, refreshing human understanding of the history of lunar magma activity and thermal evolution. According to experts, lunar basalt is a rock formed by the partial melting of the lunar mantle (equivalent to the earth’s mantle) through volcanic eruptions to the lunar surface to cool and crystallize. International scholars have put forward two hypotheses about the partial melting of the continuously cooling lunar mantle: one is that the heat generated by radioactive elements causes the lunar mantle to heat up; the other hypothesis is that if the water content is high, the melting point of the lunar mantle will be lowered. However, Chinese scientists’ research on the Chang’e-5 basalt revealed that the lunar mantle source region is not rich in radioactive heat-generating elements and is very “dry”, ruling out the above two hypotheses. Therefore, why the lunar volcanism has continued for so long has become an unsolved mystery in a new round of lunar research.
Yuan Jiangyan, an engineer at the Scanning Electron Microscopy and Electron Probe Laboratory of the Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, analyzes the composition of the Chang’e-5 lunar soil (photo taken on October 14, 2022). Published by Xinhua News Agency (Photo courtesy of Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences)
In response to this problem, Chen Yi led the scientific research team to select 27 representative Chang’e 5 basalt cuttings, and used the newly developed scanning electron microscope energy spectrum quantitative scanning technology to analyze the main components of the whole rock cuttings, combined with a series of The petrological and thermodynamic simulation calculations have successfully recovered the initial magma composition of the Chang’e-5 basalt, and compared it with the initial magma of the Apollo samples to deduce their origin depth and temperature. The study found that the initial magma of the young Chang’e-5 basalt contained more calcium and titanium than the Apollo samples, suggesting that the mantle source region of the Chang’e-5 basalt had more additions of calcium-rich and titanium-rich materials. This part of the material is precisely the product of the late crystallization of the lunar magma ocean, and has the characteristics of being fusible. Its addition will significantly reduce the melting point of the lunar mantle and induce partial melting of the lunar mantle to form young lunar basalts. Further simulation results show that the moon’s interior has experienced continuous cooling for more than a billion years, and the temperature has only dropped by about 80 degrees Celsius.
Chen Yi said that this study shows that although the interior of the moon continues to cool slowly, the fusible components crystallized in the late lunar magma ocean are continuously added to the deep lunar mantle, which not only “supplements calcium and titanium” for the lunar mantle, but also lowers the lunar mantle. the melting point, thereby overcoming the slow cooling lunar interior environment and triggering long-lasting lunar volcanism.
More than One year ago on 24th November 2020, the Chang Zheng – Long March Five Carrier Rocket Launched away in CNSA – China National Space Administration China Wenchang spaceport launch, Change Five Lunar probe into orbit, opened up towards China – People’s Republic of China’s first celestial bodies sample return trip from Mons Rumker on the Lunar Surface of the moon New research achievements – Chinese scientists reveal the composition of lunar soil minerals and space wind at the landing site of Chang’e 5
The fourth phase of the lunar exploration project has been approved, and the basic production of Chang’e-6 products has been completed…… The CNSA- China National Space Administration announced yesterday that China- People’s Republic of China’s lunar exploration project has made new progress. The fourth phase of the lunar exploration project has been approved by the state and is progressing smoothly. According to sources, the fourth phase of the lunar exploration project includes the Chang’e 6, Chang’e 7 and Chang’e 8 missions, which will be implemented successively in the next ten years. Among them, Chang’e 6 is the backup of Chang’e 5, which has the function of sampling and returning, and will go to the far side of the moon to perform missions. The production of Chang’e 6 has basically been completed. Combined with the first visit of Chang’e 4 to the back of the moon, after the demonstration of engineers and scientists in the early stage, the back of the moon is also taken into consideration. ….
Via CNSA China Space Administration –CLEP China Lunar Exploration project management office
More than One year ago on 24th November 2020, the Chang Zheng – Long March Five Carrier Rocket Launched away in CNSA – China National Space Administration China Wenchang spaceport launch, Change Five Lunar probe into orbit, opened up towards China – People’s Republic of China’s first celestial bodies sample return trip from Mons Rumker on the Lunar Surface of the moon New research achievements – Chinese scientists reveal the composition of lunar soil minerals and space wind at the landing site of Chang’e 5
Chinese scientists discover new minerals on the moon for the first time The autumn 9th September 2022 today, on the eve of the traditional Chinese festival Mid-Autumn Festival, in which duration on the 10th towards 13th September 2022 the CNSA- China National Space Administration and the National Atomic Energy Agency jointly released the latest scientific achievements of Chang’e-5. Dong Baotong, deputy director of the National Atomic Energy Agency, announced at the launch event that the new mineral discovered by Chinese scientists on the moon for the first time was named “Chang’e Stone”. This is a major scientific achievement my country has made in the field of space science, and it is also a successful exploration of cross-industry and cross-professional cooperation between nuclear and aerospace.
▲The position of Chang’e stone in the sample
“Chang’e stone” is a phosphate mineral in the form of columnar crystals found in lunar basalt grains. The innovative team of CNNC Beijing Institute of Geology, through a series of high-tech means such as X-ray diffraction, isolated a single crystal particle with a particle size of about 10 microns from 140,000 lunar sample particles, and successfully deciphered it. its crystal structure. Confirmed as a new mineral by voting by the International Mineralogical Society (IMA) New Mineral Classification and Nomenclature Committee (CNMNC). This mineral is the sixth new mineral discovered by humans on the moon, and my country has become the third country in the world to discover new minerals on the moon after the United States and Russia.
▲Microscope photos of lunar samples
▲Scanning electron microscope photo of Chang’e stone and symbiotic minerals
On December 17, 2020, Chang’e 5 returned to Earth with 1,731 grams of lunar samples. The National Space Administration has completed the distribution of 152 lunar samples in four batches totaling 53,625.7 mg, and 98 applicants from 33 scientific research units have passed the application. The fifth batch of lunar samples is being reviewed and will be released according to procedures. The Chinese Academy of Sciences, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Natural Resources, China National Nuclear Corporation and other units have been approved to undertake lunar sample research work, and foreign scientists and students have also participated in the joint research. At present, the latest achievements have been made in magma differentiation, space weathering, helium-3 gas and bioenergy conversion, etc., which are useful for understanding the origin and evolution of the moon, exploring the effective use of lunar resources, and realizing “zero energy” extraterrestrial environment and life. The support system has important implications
▲Chang’e Stone Structure The National Space Administration and the National Atomic Energy Agency, as the competent government departments in China’s aerospace and nuclear fields, have always adhered to the principles of “innovative leadership, collaborative efficiency, peaceful development, cooperation and sharing”, adhering to the concept of peaceful use of space and peaceful use of nuclear energy , continue to be committed to the integration of aerospace technology and nuclear technology, continue to explore scientific frontiers in deep space exploration and nuclear technology applications, and make new contributions to promoting the development of science and technology, the emergence of scientific achievements and international cooperation. .
More than One year ago on 24th November 2020, the Chang Zheng – Long March Five Carrier Rocket Launched away in CNSA – China National Space Administration China Wenchang spaceport launch, Change Five Lunar probe into orbit, opened up towards China – People’s Republic of China’s first celestial bodies sample return trip from Mons Rumker on the Lunar Surface of the moon New research achievements – Chinese scientists reveal the composition of lunar soil minerals and space wind at the landing site of Chang’e 5
Predecessors have used orbital remote sensing data to conduct extensive research on the topography and material composition of the CE-5 landing area. Recently, a series of sample analyses have advanced the understanding of lunar chronology, late lunar volcanism, and magma evolution mechanisms. Different from large-scale remote sensing observation and fine sample analysis, in situ spectral detection can not only provide local background information of the sampling area, but also be beneficial to study the characteristics of lunar soil in undisturbed and disturbed states. The Lunar Mineral Spectrometer (LMS) carried by the CE-5 lander acquired the visible-infrared reflectance spectrum of the lunar soil, which provided important data support for the study of the material composition of the lunar soil and space weathering.
Researchers from the Key Laboratory of Solar Activity and Space Weather of the National Space Science Center of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (hereinafter referred to as the “Space Center”) used the Chang’e-5 LMS in situ detection data to analyse the material composition and maturity, spectral parameters and unmixing of the lunar soil at the landing site The study shows that the mafic minerals in the lunar soil are mainly clinopyroxene, which is consistent with the chemical analysis and orbital spectral analysis results of the CE-5 sample in the laboratory.
The optical maturity and submicroscopic iron (SMFe) of the lunar soil did not change significantly before and after the rocket purge and shovel sampling. This study provides spectral evidence that the lunar soil surface experienced rapid tillage and adequate mixing.
Figure 1: (A) The measured field of view of the LMS spectral data is shown in the red box. Panoramic cameras show images of (B) lunar soil and (C) rocks, respectively. (D) LMS reflectance spectrum curve.
The red box in Figure 1A shows the observation field of LMS spectral data, where D11 is the rock block, and D14-D16 are the lunar soil spectra after shovelling. The magnified images of lunar soil and rocks are shown in Figure 1B and C, and Figure 1D shows the reflectance spectrum curve after preprocessing such as radiometric calibration and thermal correction.
Through the spectral parameter map of the absorption features at 1 μm and 2 μm (Fig. 2A), it was found that with the increase of calcium content, the absorption positions of pyroxene at 1 μm and 2 μm moved to the long-wave direction, and the lunar soil and rocks at the CE-5 landing site For high-calcium pyroxene, this is further confirmed in the 1 μm absorption center and the ratio projection of the 2 μm to 1 μm absorption area (Fig. 2B).
In this study, the Hapke model and the sparse unmixing algorithm were used to invert the mineral composition and abundance of the in situ spectra. The inversion results were consistent with the analysis results of CE-5 samples and the inversion results of orbital remote sensing (Fig.
Figure 2: LMS in situ spectral composition analysis
Space weathering is a common phenomenon of spectral reddening and darkening caused by micrometeorite impacts and solar wind injection on non-atmospheric celestial bodies.
First, the maturity of the lunar soil at the CE-5 landing site was qualitatively analyzed by using the projection maps of the spectral slopes R950/R750 and R1600/R700 and R750 and R700 respectively (Fig. 3A, B). It was found that compared with the lunar soil at the CE-4 landing site, the The lunar soil in the CE-3 and CE-5 landing areas is relatively immature, which may be related to the fact that CE-3 and CE-5 landed on a young impact crater sputter carpet (<100 Ma).
This study further calculated the optical maturity (OMAT, Fig. 3C) and submicroscopic iron (SMFe, Fig. 3D) content, and found that there was no significant change in lunar soil maturity before and after the rocket purge, and before and after scooping, indicating CE-5 landing The lunar soil in the district has experienced an equivalent exposure history within the scooping depth (<3cm).
This result is consistent with the radionuclide analysis results of the Apollo drilling samples and the simulation results of the lunar soil tillage model. This study provides spectroscopic evidence that the lunar soil surface undergoes rapid tillage and adequate mixing.
Figure 3: LMS In Situ Spectral Maturity Analysis
Space weathering is a common phenomenon of spectral reddening and darkening caused by micrometeorite impacts and solar wind injection on non-atmospheric celestial bodies.
First, the maturity of the lunar soil at the CE-5 landing site was qualitatively analyzed by using the projection maps of the spectral slopes R950/R750 and R1600/R700 and R750 and R700 respectively (Fig. 3A, B). It was found that compared with the lunar soil at the CE-4 landing site, the The lunar soil in the CE-3 and CE-5 landing areas is relatively immature, which may be related to the fact that CE-3 and CE-5 landed on a young impact crater sputter carpet (<100 Ma).
This study further calculated the optical maturity (OMAT, Fig. 3C) and submicroscopic iron (SMFe, Fig. 3D) content, and found that there was no significant change in lunar soil maturity before and after the rocket purge, and before and after scooping, indicating CE-5 landing The lunar soil in the district has experienced an equivalent exposure history within the scooping depth (<3cm).
This result is consistent with the radionuclide analysis results of the Apollo drilling samples and the simulation results of the lunar soil tillage model. This study provides spectroscopic evidence that the lunar soil surface undergoes rapid tillage and adequate mixing.
上述研究成果
已成功发表于国际权威学术期刊
Earth and Planetary Science Letters上。
Via CNSA China Space Administration –CLEP China Lunar Exploration project management office
