China is planning to start using soil from the Moon to build lunar bases as early as this decade. The country's space program chief, Zhang Kejian, revealed the ambitious plan at a conference in Beijing on Tuesday.
The aim of this mission is to explore ways of using space resources to enable the establishment of a long-term, sustainable presence on the Moon. China has already sent two rovers to the Moon, with a third planned for later this year.
Zhang said China will "speed up research into key technologies for resource exploration and utilization, and intensify research and cooperation on the lunar space station, a comprehensive scientific experiment base, and lunar-based Earth observation."
The use of Moon soil, or regolith, would provide a source of raw materials that could be used to construct lunar habitats and other infrastructure. Lunar soil is rich in minerals such as iron, aluminum, and titanium, which could be used in construction and manufacturing.
China's plans for Moon exploration have sparked concerns among some experts over the militarization of space and a potential new arms race. However, Zhang reiterated that China is committed to peaceful exploration and development of space.
The country is also planning to launch a crewed mission to the Moon in the 2030s, which would make it only the third country after the United States and the former Soviet Union to achieve such a feat.
China's space program has made significant progress in recent years, with successful missions to the Moon, Mars, and the launch of its own space station. The country aims to become a leading spacefaring nation and is investing heavily in space technology and infrastructure.
Comments