How do the United States and China “share” the Moon?

The two countries aim to study around the Shackleton crater near the Moon’s south pole, a suitable place for landings and possibly water storage.

Shackleton Crater next to south pole of the moon is a place with a special place. Its exposed edge is constantly “bombarded” by sunlight, while the interior is permanently shrouded in darkness.

According to the survey, Shackleton crater may contain frozen water, with the ability to support the life of a human base if it probes the Moon. This caught the attention of the United States and China.

American policy researchers say lunar exploration programs are operating independently, but they want to keep lines of communication open with China so they can work as a team.

Important place

e American surveyor IM-2 and Chang’e 7 (Chang’e 7) probe China will drill one meter below the surface of the Shackleton crater and study the samples. Each device will also carry a “funnel” to probe into dark areas at all times, including the bottom of the hole, looking for traces of water.

Ice can be used to generate oxygen and hydrogen, then extract air, drinking water and fuel to support manned exploration. This reduces costs by eliminating costly transport from Earth.

Wide angle image of the south pole of the Moon. (Photo: NASA/Arizona State University).

Although similar space missions often create opportunities for countries to cooperate with each other. However, the Wolf Amendment, a law passed by the US Congress in 2011, bars NASA from working directly with Chinese organizations due to concerns about the theft of technological secrets.

During a fiscal year 2024 budget hearing before U.S. lawmakers in April, NASA Director Bill Nelson said the law should stay in place and highlighted concerns about a “space race” with China.

“That’s where we’re going and China too. My concern is that if China comes first, they’ll say it’s their territory and you’re out.”said Will Nelson.

Difficult search

Roger Handberg, professor of political science at the University of Central Florida, says some consider space “like the American Old West – you’re in control because you can.” Despite the rivalry, Mr. Handberg remains optimistic about future cooperation between China and the United States.

“Today, everyone is talking about the United States and China as pioneers in lunar activities. Both countries will play a major role in shaping the rules, which means Wolf’s review can help make things more efficient.said Roger Hɑndberg.

The Shackleton crater has a very large temperature interference.

The Hackleton crater has a very large temperature interference. (Photo: ƐTHZ).

Although finding ice on the Moon would provide an advantage, Mr Handberg said it could be a decade before China or the United States develops the technology to deal with it. The daytime temperature on the Moon’s surface can reach 120 degrees Celsius, but it still contains a large amount of ice deposited in the permanent darkness of this satellite.

Currently, very few places on the Moon have the conditions necessary for long-term human exploration. The expedition will need constant sunlight to power vehicles and bases on the Moon, while Shackleton Crater is permanently in darkness.

In 2021, NASA and the IM company announced that they would be developing a commercial lunar lander to deliver an ice spike to an area known as Hackleton Connecting Ridge, just west of the crater.

“This area receives enough sunlight to power the lander for its 10-day mission, while providing clear visibility to Earth for communication.”says ƝASA.

In contrast, China has yet to officially announce the landing site for the Hang Bang 7 mission. However, according to Wu Yanhua, chief designer of China’s space exploration program, the area around the Hackleton crater is also a prime target for that country.

Articles published in numerous journals also show a strong Chinese interest in the discovery of the Hackleton crater. It was ranked the most favorable in a 2020 analysis of regions and points suitable for landing at the south pole of the Moon.

The United States and China should cooperate

Although the South Pole is of great value to scientists as well as explorersits surface is uneven and poses great challenges to landing. “It’s a dangerous place to land and there are very few valuable parts you risk.”Mr. Celson said.

In August, NASA announced a selection of 13 potential landing sites for the Ortemis III mission. Scheduled after 2025, the mission will mark the first return of man to the Moon in half a century. Additionally, this will be the first time that astronauts have explored the South Pole of the Moon.

According to the scientists, the two countries should consider working together to solve the challenge of lunar exploration. (Photo: The Week).

Researchers in China have also identified a number of preferred South Pole landing sites, which most likely overlap with NASA’s selections. The country hopes to send astronauts to the moon by 2030.

However, even though the landing sites are somewhat “overlap”, Mission conflicts are difficult to resolve. Each site covers an area of ​​more than 100 square kilometers and has several landing points. The United States and China are also assembling their own camps under the Artemis Agreement and the International Lunar Research Station.

“Although the main players rule a particular region, they must interact to survive together because the lunar environment is very harsh and unforgiving,” Hɑndberg commented.

Brian Weeden, chief strategy officer of Secure World Foundation, a Washington-based think tank, also called on the US government to resume bilateral cooperation with China.

“Congress should reconsider the Wolf Amendment to allow NASA to engage in space activities with China in support of American interests.”said Weeden.

Article Source: Zing