17.2 Trends in Future Development of Lunar Exploration
553
Fig. 17.1 Proposed lunar base concept
conducted on lunar base. The observatory center for astronomy and Earth observation can conduct high accuracy monitoring of changing of Earth climate and space
environment, especially all-around and continuous astronomical observation which
may monitor Potential Hazardous deep space small bodies for Earth.
The construction of the lunar base which is a facility of long term robotic operation and short term operated by human for scientific research and manufacture is
an inevitable trend along with further survey of lunar resources and readiness of
technology development.
17.3 New Challenges for Lunar Lander Technology
In a foreseeable future, lunar landing is absolutely necessary for lunar sample return,
lunar scientific research station construction and manned lunar missions. The new
challenges of such exploration for lunar lander technology can be summarized as
following six aspects [8, 9].
(1) Pin-point landing technology. The major water ice resources are in lunar polar
region. The lunar terrain, light condition and thermal environment are complex
in lunar polar region. The accuracy of lunar landing shall be improved to ensure
553
Fig. 17.1 Proposed lunar base concept
conducted on lunar base. The observatory center for astronomy and Earth observation can conduct high accuracy monitoring of changing of Earth climate and space
environment, especially all-around and continuous astronomical observation which
may monitor Potential Hazardous deep space small bodies for Earth.
The construction of the lunar base which is a facility of long term robotic operation and short term operated by human for scientific research and manufacture is
an inevitable trend along with further survey of lunar resources and readiness of
technology development.
17.3 New Challenges for Lunar Lander Technology
In a foreseeable future, lunar landing is absolutely necessary for lunar sample return,
lunar scientific research station construction and manned lunar missions. The new
challenges of such exploration for lunar lander technology can be summarized as
following six aspects [8, 9].
(1) Pin-point landing technology. The major water ice resources are in lunar polar
region. The lunar terrain, light condition and thermal environment are complex
in lunar polar region. The accuracy of lunar landing shall be improved to ensure