[Explanation] At the end of 2021, China approved the fourth phase of the lunar exploration project, and China Aerospace is starting a new journey of interstellar exploration.

What are the mission objectives of the fourth phase of the lunar exploration project?

During the National Two Sessions in 2022, Wu Weiren, member of the Standing Committee of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and chief designer of China's lunar exploration project, introduced the relevant situation.

  [Concurrent] Wu Weiren, chief designer of China's lunar exploration project, member of the Standing Committee of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference

  The fourth phase of the project is mainly to make several landings at the south pole of the moon. After the landing, a basic type of lunar scientific research station will be built at the south pole of the moon. This is our main goal of the entire fourth phase.

  [Explanation] Why choose the south pole of the moon?

Wu Weiren introduced that one of the reasons is that there may be polar days and polar nights at the south pole of the moon.

  [Concurrent] Wu Weiren, chief designer of China's lunar exploration project, member of the Standing Committee of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference

  (Moon) The high temperature on the front is more than 100 degrees, and the low temperature on the back is nearly minus 200 degrees.

It's different if you land in Antarctica.

There may be polar days and polar nights in Antarctica.

It may be able to have light for more than 180 consecutive days, and there may be no light for more than 180 days.

In this case, if we set up a station (at the south pole of the moon), at least we can work for a long time.

  [Explanation] There is also the possibility of finding water at the south pole of the moon, which is particularly important.

  [Concurrent] Wu Weiren, chief designer of China's lunar exploration project, member of the Standing Committee of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference

  The south pole of the (moon) has deep moon craters. This kind of crater was formed at the moment when the moon was formed. The moon may have water in the process of forming that year.

This pit is very deep, about ten kilometers long. If there was water in the past, because it cannot see sunlight all the year round, it may exist in the form of water ice.

If water can be found, I think the scientific research station at the south pole of the moon can operate for a long time.

We humans will go to the south pole of the moon for short-term investigations in the future. I think that is also very valuable.

  [Commentary] Wu Weiren said that before 2035, the International Lunar Research Station is expected to be built.

  [Concurrent] Wu Weiren, chief designer of China's lunar exploration project, member of the Standing Committee of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference

  We hope to continue to implement several missions after 2030. After these missions, we will strive to build an international lunar scientific research station before 2035.

After completion, it can be operated for a long time, including the utilization of lunar resources.

On the moon, some of them figuratively say that we can also 3D print, we can also build buildings on it, or we can carry out activities such as mining and development of lunar resources on it.

  [Explanation] The development of China's aerospace industry is supported by talents, technological breakthroughs and institutional guarantees. Wu Weiren said that he believes that the realization of these goals will not be too far away.

  [Concurrent] Wu Weiren, chief designer of China's lunar exploration project, member of the Standing Committee of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference

  China wants to do one thing, as long as the CPC Central Committee and the State Council make decisions, the people of the whole country and all units will strongly support it. This is our biggest advantage. The second advantage is that we now have (have) a very good technical foundation. For example, we We have made breakthroughs in key technologies such as our moon landing, our moon orbiting, and our return of samples on the moon. Talented.

Therefore, I think that there are talents and technological breakthroughs in the promotion of the project, and we have institutional guarantees, so it is not too difficult for China (to achieve the next goal of lunar exploration).

  (Reported by Shan Lu and Ma Shuaisha in Beijing)

Responsible editor: [Ji Xiang]