Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – Lunar rover from China, Chang’e 5 found water on the Moon. This finding could be good news for humans trying to build and operate research stations.
Chang’e 5 provides evidence of 120 parts per million of water (such as hydroxyl and/or H2O) in the lunar regolith. A joint research team led by Lin Yangting and Lin Honglei from the Institute of Geology and Geophysics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences observed water signals in the collected reflectance spectral data.
According to the research team, the water on the moon is ‘mostly related to the implantation of the solar wind’, quoted from the Global Times, Monday (10/1/2022).
On this finding, Song Zhongping, space analyst and TV commentator, water can support human survival on the Moon. Besides being able to produce fuel for spacecraft such as rockets.
With the discovery of water, it is hoped that it will facilitate human exploration into space even deeper. Song added that the Moon could be a stepping stone for human migration to Mars.
Chang’e 5 has indeed returned to Earth on December 17, 2020. But the search for water will not stop there.
According to researchers, the Chang’e 6 and Chang’e 7 missions will continue to search for water on the Moon. The studies carried out today form the basis for future scientific goals.
The fourth phase of the Chinese lunar mission has indeed been approved by local authorities, said the deputy administrator at the China National Space Administration (CNSA). The missions include the latest Chang’e 6, 7, and 8 which are expected to be carried out in the next decade.
Chang’e 7 is planned to be launched towards the South Pole of the Moon first. Followed by Chang’e 6 who was in charge of sampling and returning from the area.
While the last part of the fourth phase, Chang’e 8 will build the main form of the International Lunar Research Station.
(npb/roy)
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