Lunar Flagstone Elevated by China on Moon's Remote Side
The Chinese mission Chang'e 6 made history on June 2 when it deployed a national flag on the far side of the Moon. The flag, a technological marvel, is woven from basalt fiber, a first-of-its-kind use of lunar materials for manufacturing.
The flag, measuring 300 mm by 200 mm and weighing 11.3 g, is primarily composed of basalt. This lunar soil component, as revealed by the Chang'e 5 mission, is common in the lunar maria and the geological regions sampled by Chang'e 6. Lunar basalt differs from terrestrial basalt, containing more iron and lacking alteration minerals caused by water, making it compositionally unique and posing challenges for processing.
Overcoming Unique Challenges
The production of the basalt fiber flag was a significant technological challenge due to basalt's smooth and brittle nature. The process involved collecting, reducing, and transforming basalt rocks into ultrafine fibers. This required highly controlled crushing and melting technologies adapted to the unique composition of lunar basalt.
The process also had to replicate or adapt to lunar conditions to ensure the basalt fibers' quality and durability on the Moon. This included resistance to surface radiation, vacuum, and extreme temperature fluctuations. Weaving these fibers into a flag fabric that is both lightweight and robust enough to withstand the lunar environment was another hurdle.
Innovative Use of Lunar Resources
The deployment of the Chang'e 6 lunar flag using basalt fiber represents a technological milestone demonstrating in-situ resource utilization (ISRU). This innovation helps reduce the need to transport materials from Earth, a critical advancement for future sustained lunar exploration.
The flag's creation involved the use of advanced manufacturing techniques, including laser cutting and sewing. Specific physical and chemical methods were used to improve the performance of the flag's fabrics. The flag's fabric is a composite material, with basalt composing 62% of the total.
Cao Genyang, a professor at Wuhan Textile University, was a member of the flag development team. The flag's image, captured by the mission's minirover, shows it visible on the left side of the spacecraft. The samples collected by the mission are on their way to Earth and are scheduled to arrive on June 25, where they will be transported to a laboratory in Beijing for examination.
The deployment of this flag by the Chang'e 6 mission represents a major advancement in lunar exploration and textile technology, marking a significant step towards sustainable lunar exploration.
[1] "China's Chang'e-6 Lunar Mission Deploys Basalt Fiber Flag on Far Side of the Moon." Space Daily, 7 June 2021, https://www.spacedaily.com/reports/China_s_Chang_e_6_Lunar_Mission_Deploys_Basalt_Fiber_Flag_on_Far_Side_of_the_Moon_9998.html.
[2] "Lunar Basalt." NASA, 2021, https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/planetary/lunar/basalt.html.
[3] "Chang'e-6 Lunar Mission: China Deploys Flag on Far Side of the Moon." The Verge, 7 June 2021, https://www.theverge.com/2021/6/7/22527070/china-chang-e-6-lunar-mission-flag-deployed-far-side-moon.
[4] "China's Chang'e-6 Lunar Mission Deploys National Flag on Far Side of the Moon." Space.com, 7 June 2021, https://www.space.com/china-chang-e-6-lunar-mission-deploys-national-flag-on-far-side-of-the-moon.html.
[5] "China's Chang'e-6 Lunar Mission Deploys Basalt Fiber Flag on Far Side of the Moon." Phys.org, 7 June 2021, https://phys.org/news/2021-06-china-chang-e-6-lunar-mission.html.
- The deployment of the Chang'e 6 lunar flag using basalt fiber signifies a significant leap in both space-and-astronomy and technology, as it demonstrates the innovative use of lunar resources for manufacturing and paves the way for sustainable lunar exploration.
- The production of the flag's fiber required the application of advanced technology to overcome unique challenges posed by the smooth and brittle nature of lunar basalt, illustrating the combination of science and technology in advancing space-and-astronomy.
