China is researching and developing a new autonomous robot to carry out a mission to explore the south pole of the Moon around 2026. It will have a larger size and a more intelligent technological structure than previous robots.
The Jade Rabbit 2 robot has been exploring the far side of the Moon since 2019.
The Jade Rabbit 2 robot has been exploring the hidden side of the Moon since 2019. (Photo: CNSA/CLEP)
Space reported on January 26. Mission Chang’e 7 is part of China’s recently approved phase of lunar exploration, focusing on the South Pole and the far side of the Moon. Chang’e 7 includes an orbiter, a lander, an autonomous robot and a small flying device capable of penetrating dark hollows to search for traces of water ice. The mission will also be supported by a communications relay satellite.
Chang’e 7’s robot is based on Jade Rabbit and Jade Rabbit 2, the solar robots weighed around 140 kg during the Chang’e 3 (Moon landing in 2013) and Chang’e 4 (landing in 2019) missions. However, there will still be some differences.
“The Chang’e 7 self-propelled robot is a little larger than the Chang’e 4. It is designed to carry a variety of tools and has a similar structure to the old robot.”said Tang Yuhua, deputy design director of Hang Nga 7.
The new robot will be more independent and intelligent. “Previous autonomous robots required a lot of intervention from the ground center, but now route construction will become more autonomous.”Tang said.
The new autonomous robot is equipped with a panoramic camera and ground-penetrating radar like Ngoc Rabbit 2, but will have a magnetometer and Raman spectrometer instead of an infrared and visible spectrometer. The Hang Nga 7 mission will also carry a smaller robot to the United Arab Emirates.
Before Chang’e 7, China will attempt to take samples from the far side of the Moon, Antarctic Basin – Aitkentowards the end of 2024 with Mission Chang’e 6. The Chang’e 8 mission is expected to be launched in 2028 for the same purpose test 3D printing and resource exploitation technologies. This task will pave the way for the project International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) in the 2030s.
The ILRS will initially operate using robots, but aims to eventually be manned by astronauts around 2035. China and Russia are seeking partners to join this project.
Article source: VnExpress
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China is researching and developing a new autonomous robot to carry out a mission to explore the south pole of the Moon around 2026.
