China To Send Flying Robot To Search For Lunar Ice

A plane is pictured in front of the full moon in Curitiba

China is set to launch a flying robot to the far side of the moon next year as part of its ambitious space program. The mission aims to search for frozen water, a crucial resource for future lunar exploration. The robotic 'flying detector' will be deployed to the lunar south pole as part of the Chang’e-7 mission, which is a significant step towards China's goal of landing astronauts on the moon within five years.

China's space program has been making strides to establish itself as a major player in space exploration. The discovery of water on the moon is not new, with previous findings by Chinese, NASA, and Indian missions. However, the focus now is on locating ice deposits deep in craters on the moon's far side, which could potentially support future lunar missions as a water source for astronauts.

The flying detector is designed to conduct on-site inspections in deep caves at the moon's south pole to search for ice deposits. The presence of lunar ice could have significant implications for sustaining human life on the moon and reducing the cost of space missions. It may also hint at the possibility of extraterrestrial life.

The mission aims to search for frozen water, a crucial resource for future lunar exploration.

China plans to launch a flying robot to the moon's far side next year.

The 'flying detector' will be part of the Chang’e-7 mission to the lunar south pole.

While the discovery of lunar water is promising for future exploration, experts caution that utilizing these findings for activities like agriculture or water extraction depends on various factors, including the abundance and chemical form of the water.

China's National Space Administration has been actively conducting robotic lunar missions, including the successful return of lunar samples from the far side of the moon. The upcoming Chang’e-7 mission in 2026 will involve an orbiter, lander, rover, and the flying detector to conduct a detailed survey of the lunar south pole.

The flying robot is designed to leap from sunlit areas to shadowed craters to analyze ice distribution. Lunar ice is typically found in the darkest and coldest areas at the poles, where temperatures can drop below negative-250 degrees Fahrenheit. The challenging conditions on the moon's far side will test the capabilities of the flying robot during its mission.