Chapter 1
Introduction
1.1 Significance of and General Approaches to Lunar
Exploration
1.1.1 Significance of Lunar Exploration
The Moon is the only natural satellite of the Earth. It has attracted endless attention
of human being. The Moon was the preferred target for deep space exploration since
the space era. Since 1950s, The United States and the Soviet Union built complete
aerospace industry system in early lunar exploration competition. A rapid growth of
science and technology was prompted as well. At the same time, extended application
of the lunar exploration technology in military and civil area cultivated a great many
high-tech industrial enterprise groups and produced remarkable social and economic
benefits.
For fifty years, China’s space activities extended from Earth application satellites
to manned space flight and deep space exploration. It is important for China to
explore the Moon, and master technologies of lunar exploration, and research on
lunar science and application and utilize lunar resources. China would protect its
interest and devote to mankind sustainable development with lunar exploration. The
significance of China lunar exploration includes as follows [1−3].
1. To Improve the Comprehensive National Strength and Enhance the Cohesion
of the Nation
Lunar exploration is a major symbol of comprehensive national strength as well as
science and technology of a country. Since the first China’s man-made satellite was
launched on 24 April 1970, aerospace technologies have made remarkable achievements in the launch vehicle, application satellites and manned spaceship in China. It
will fill the gap in deep space exploration and lay a solid technology basis for future
planetary exploration to implement China’s Lunar Exploration Program (CLEP). It
has great significance to improve the comprehensive national strength and enhance
the cohesion of China.
© National Defense Industry Press and Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2021
D.-Y. Yu et al., Technology of Lunar Soft Lander, Space Technology Library 38,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-6580-9_1
1
Introduction
1.1 Significance of and General Approaches to Lunar
Exploration
1.1.1 Significance of Lunar Exploration
The Moon is the only natural satellite of the Earth. It has attracted endless attention
of human being. The Moon was the preferred target for deep space exploration since
the space era. Since 1950s, The United States and the Soviet Union built complete
aerospace industry system in early lunar exploration competition. A rapid growth of
science and technology was prompted as well. At the same time, extended application
of the lunar exploration technology in military and civil area cultivated a great many
high-tech industrial enterprise groups and produced remarkable social and economic
benefits.
For fifty years, China’s space activities extended from Earth application satellites
to manned space flight and deep space exploration. It is important for China to
explore the Moon, and master technologies of lunar exploration, and research on
lunar science and application and utilize lunar resources. China would protect its
interest and devote to mankind sustainable development with lunar exploration. The
significance of China lunar exploration includes as follows [1−3].
1. To Improve the Comprehensive National Strength and Enhance the Cohesion
of the Nation
Lunar exploration is a major symbol of comprehensive national strength as well as
science and technology of a country. Since the first China’s man-made satellite was
launched on 24 April 1970, aerospace technologies have made remarkable achievements in the launch vehicle, application satellites and manned spaceship in China. It
will fill the gap in deep space exploration and lay a solid technology basis for future
planetary exploration to implement China’s Lunar Exploration Program (CLEP). It
has great significance to improve the comprehensive national strength and enhance
the cohesion of China.
© National Defense Industry Press and Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2021
D.-Y. Yu et al., Technology of Lunar Soft Lander, Space Technology Library 38,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-6580-9_1
1