Recently unveiled atlas uncovers 12,000 impact craters. - The lunar surface exhibits blemishes.
Following years without human expeditions to the moon, scientists are now focusing their efforts on developing lunar stations. One crucial aspect for prolonged stays on the lunar surface is precise mapping.
Ouyang Ziyuan, a scientist from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, is spearheading the project of mapping the moon's surface, stating, "The lunar atlas is essential for identifying a potential site for a future lunar outpost."
Researchers also speculate that these lunar stations could function as a stepping stone for future manned missions to Mars. Alongside surface stations, they're considering a lunar station in orbit around the moon.
The moon re-emerges as a destination for space exploration
Following the iconic Apollo missions, space travelers have finally re-engaged with the moon. In 1972, Eugen Cernan and Harrison Schmidt were the last humans to set foot on the moon's dusty surface. Global lunar missions have been gaining momentum since the 2010s, although they've been unmanned thus far.
The scarcity of raw materials on Earth is driving nations to the moon. Mining these resources in space could lead to significant profits.
China's growing expertise in lunar exploration
The Chinese are emerging as lunar experts. They successfully landed the "Chang'e 4" spacecraft on the moon's dark far side in 2019 - a difficult feat considering the absence of radio contact with Earth.
Now, "Chang'e 6" is en route to the far side of the moon, with the aim of collecting rock samples and returning them to Earth. If successful, this feat would be a major breakthrough. Scientists suspect vast quantities of helium-3 on the far side, which could power nuclear power plants without generating radioactive waste.
By 2025, the "Artemis-2" US mission is scheduled to launch, sending astronauts to the moon and orbiting it. This lunar atlas could aid these missions as well.
A team of 100 researchers gathered comprehensive data for this monumental task over the course of ten years. The atlas will be available in print and online in the near future.
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Source: symclub.org
