1.4 Technical Challenges to Development of Lunar Lander [5, 14, 16]
1 9
Thermal control on lunar surface. The temperature difference between lunar day
and night is extreme because the rotation of the Moon is slow and there is no atmosphere. The highest temperature in lunar day is 120 °C, while the coldest temperature
in lunar night might be −180 °C. The temperature difference of 300 °C induced
big challenge in thermal control of the lunar lander on lunar surface. New type of
thermal technologies and equipment must be used to control internal temperature
of the lander, while strong adaptability to extreme temperature difference must be
satisfied for the devices direct exposure to the Moon environment.
Ground simulation and test for the lunar environment. The environment of the
Moon is totally different from the Earth and Earth orbit such as low gravity, extreme
temperature, terrain, lunar regolith, lighting condition, lunar dust and radiation. To
make sure the sufficiency and validity of ground test in lunar lander development,
special facilities must be built up to simulate lunar environment and new theories
and methods should be developed for ground experiment and test.
1.5 Summary
Lunar exploration of the lunar lander was ‘immersive’ compared to remote sensing.
More precise and profound research fruits might be achieved by lunar lander exploration. It was not only an important approach of lunar scientific research and utilization of lunar resource by human being, but also crucial key technology for lunar
base construction and manned Moon missions. It was very important to master technology for lunar soft-landing and capability to arrive at surface of celestial bodies in
the Moon exploration and deep space exploration.
CLEP had attracted worldwide attention. According to the strategic plan of CLEP,
the the Chang’E-3 probe was successfully landed on the Moon in Dec. 2013 and
conducted long-term scientific exploration on lunar surface, which made China the
3rd country that was capable to soft-landing on the Moon in the world.
The significance of lunar exploration is introduced in this chapter. A brief review
of successful lunar soft-landing of the Soviet Union and the United States in history
is given. At the end, general information about CLEP and brief information of
the Chang’E probes is described and major technical challenges of lunar lander
is analyzed. It can provide primary background information for the readers to read
subsequent chapters.
References
1. Chu G, Zhang H (2007) Technology of lunar probes[M]. China Science and Technology Press,
Beijing
2. Ouyang Z (2004) Scientific objectives of Chinese Lunar Exploration Project and development
strategy[J]. Advance in Earth Sciences 19(3):351–355
1 9
Thermal control on lunar surface. The temperature difference between lunar day
and night is extreme because the rotation of the Moon is slow and there is no atmosphere. The highest temperature in lunar day is 120 °C, while the coldest temperature
in lunar night might be −180 °C. The temperature difference of 300 °C induced
big challenge in thermal control of the lunar lander on lunar surface. New type of
thermal technologies and equipment must be used to control internal temperature
of the lander, while strong adaptability to extreme temperature difference must be
satisfied for the devices direct exposure to the Moon environment.
Ground simulation and test for the lunar environment. The environment of the
Moon is totally different from the Earth and Earth orbit such as low gravity, extreme
temperature, terrain, lunar regolith, lighting condition, lunar dust and radiation. To
make sure the sufficiency and validity of ground test in lunar lander development,
special facilities must be built up to simulate lunar environment and new theories
and methods should be developed for ground experiment and test.
1.5 Summary
Lunar exploration of the lunar lander was ‘immersive’ compared to remote sensing.
More precise and profound research fruits might be achieved by lunar lander exploration. It was not only an important approach of lunar scientific research and utilization of lunar resource by human being, but also crucial key technology for lunar
base construction and manned Moon missions. It was very important to master technology for lunar soft-landing and capability to arrive at surface of celestial bodies in
the Moon exploration and deep space exploration.
CLEP had attracted worldwide attention. According to the strategic plan of CLEP,
the the Chang’E-3 probe was successfully landed on the Moon in Dec. 2013 and
conducted long-term scientific exploration on lunar surface, which made China the
3rd country that was capable to soft-landing on the Moon in the world.
The significance of lunar exploration is introduced in this chapter. A brief review
of successful lunar soft-landing of the Soviet Union and the United States in history
is given. At the end, general information about CLEP and brief information of
the Chang’E probes is described and major technical challenges of lunar lander
is analyzed. It can provide primary background information for the readers to read
subsequent chapters.
References
1. Chu G, Zhang H (2007) Technology of lunar probes[M]. China Science and Technology Press,
Beijing
2. Ouyang Z (2004) Scientific objectives of Chinese Lunar Exploration Project and development
strategy[J]. Advance in Earth Sciences 19(3):351–355