What To Know
- Cao Genyang, a professor at Wuhan Textile University and a member of the flag development team, explained that the idea came from analyzing samples brought back by the Chang’e 5 mission which revealed that the main component of lunar soil was basalt.
- Specific physical and chemical methods were used to improve the performance of the fabrics, resulting in a composite material composed mainly of basalt, representing 62% of the totalThe final stage of production involved laser cutting, trimming and sewing, resulting in the creation of the final flag.
- CNSA The deployment of this flag on the far side of the Moon by the Chang’e 6 mission thus represents a major advancement in lunar exploration and textile technology.
June 2, Chinese mission Chang’e 6 marked a new milestone in lunar exploration by placing a national flag on the far side of the Moon. This flag, although small, is iconic in several ways. Measuring 300 mm by 200 mm, the size of an A4 sheet of paper, and weighing only 11.3 g, it represents a significant technological advance thanks to its main material: lunar basalt.
Innovative exploitation of lunar resources
The choice of the basalta volcanic rock abundant on the Moon and Earth, is part of the in situ utilization principle. This approach aims to exploit resources available on site rather than transporting materials from Earth, thus aligning this mission with the goals of sustainable space exploration. Cao Genyang, a professor at Wuhan Textile University and a member of the flag development team, explained that the idea came from analyzing samples brought back by the Chang’e 5 mission which revealed that the main component of lunar soil was basalt. This discovery led the team to wonder how to use this abundant material as high performance inorganic fiber.
This flag was a technical challenge
Transforming basalt into a flag that could withstand the extreme conditions of the lunar surface was a real challenge. Basalt is indeed a smooth and brittle inorganic fiber, which makes it difficult to spin and retain its colors. Wang Yunli, a professor at Wuhan Textile University, said the printing and dyeing process involved specialized techniques to adapt to lunar conditions and space travel. production The flag began with the collection and mixing of basalt rocks. These rocks were reduced to very small pieces and then transformed into ultrafine fibers. These fibers were then spun into threads, woven to create a fabric and finally printed. Specific physical and chemical methods were used to improve the performance of the fabrics, resulting in a composite material composed mainly of basalt, representing 62% of the totalThe final stage of production involved laser cutting, trimming and sewing, resulting in the creation of the final flag.
An image of the lander taken by the mission’s minirover. The flag is visible on the left side of the spacecraft. Credits: CNSA The deployment of this flag on the far side of the Moon by the Chang’e 6 mission thus represents a major advancement in lunar exploration and textile technology. This achievement thus highlights the country’s ability to innovate by using extraterrestrial resources and to overcome complex technological challenges. It also paves the way for future exploration missions and a more efficient use of materials available on other celestial bodies. As for samples collected on site, they are already on their way. Their return is scheduled for June 25They will then be transported to a laboratory in Beijing for examination.
