Experts are building a vacuum chamber that simulates conditions on the surface of the Moon, preparing for future exploration of this celestial body.
China’s Moon simulation chamber. (Video: Space)
The vacuum chamber is specially designed and equipped with electron guns to negatively charge dust, deuterium lamps to emit ultraviolet rays, thus generating low-voltage positive charges, and a shaking screen to simulate dust movement, Space reported on May 10. Additionally, scientists have created a dust-like substance that shares similar characteristics with lunar dust. These elements combine to create a specialized chamber capable of testing materials and equipment under conditions closely resembling those on the Moon.
The lunar simulation chamber was developed by the Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT), located in Heilongjiang Province, northeastern China. “The comprehensive lunar surface simulation chamber can recreate many environments similar to actual conditions on the Moon, helping us understand the mechanisms of lunar dust formation and its impact on spacecraft, space suits, and astronauts, while also preparing for future crewed lunar landings,” said Li Liyi, head of the Space Materials and Environmental Science Institute at HIT.
“In the laboratory chamber, we can recreate six primary environmental factors. This experimental facility can simulate multiple environmental factors and has general characteristics similar to the most realistic space environment in the world,” Li added.
This experimental facility can simulate multiple environmental factors similar to space.
Last month, leading Chinese lunar scientist Wu Weiren announced that the country is striving to land astronauts on the Moon before 2030. China is actively researching the necessary hardware for the mission, including new launch vehicles, next-generation crewed spacecraft, and lunar landers.
At the end of last year, Wu Yansheng, chairman of the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), also presented a video simulating the future lunar landing by Chinese astronauts during a presentation.
