In a year when all other lunar missions failed, China completed the most challenging expedition since Apollo 17 in June. In other words, the Chang’e 6 mission made the Asian country the first nation to bring back samples from the dark side of the Moon. The initial analysis has already yielded surprising results, such as the presence of pure carbon. Now, China is sharing another amazing fact about the hidden side of Earth’s natural satellite.
The discovery. The National Science Review recently published the first article based on the lunar soil sample taken by the Chinese mission. In the article, a team of scientists details the physical, mineral, and geochemical characteristics of the Chang’e-6 samples. They highlight the new sample’s lower density and more porous structure. It appears that the soil on the far side of the Moon is different, grayer, and rockier, especially compared to the samples collected by Chang’e-5, China’s first robotic lunar exploration.
From the Moon to the Earth. Moving these samples from their origin to laboratories in China was complex. According to local media outlet CCTV, once the mission obtained the samples, it sealed them in special containers under vacuum conditions on the lunar surface. After returning to Earth, it took the team of Chinese researchers about two months to open, sort, and separate them into smaller portions suitable for experiments.
Li Chunlai, the deputy chief designer of the Chang’e-6 mission, explained that the team first separated the rock fragments larger than 1 mm because “they were likely ejected from other places. The method of studying these fragments is different from that of dust samples.” Interestingly, they first noticed that the Chang’e 6 samples appear to have more rock fragments than the soil collected on the previous mission.
The first hypothesis: an impact crater. The presence of a 164-foot impact crater next to the Chang’e-6 landing site would explain the accumulation of fragments in the collected samples.
“This is due to the presence of a significant amount of white material, including more feldspar minerals, and a larger amount of glass fragments, which makes them appear clearer overall,” Li explained.
Chinese “reliability” vs. NASA. China’s Chang’e-6 mission is a milestone in space exploration. However, NASA has raised its voice, claiming that China didn’t directly invite its scientists to participate in the lunar soil survey. After China transported the samples to a special laboratory for further study, NASA spokeswoman Faith McKie told the National Security Daily that while China worked with the European Space Agency, France, Italy, and Pakistan on the mission, “NASA wasn’t invited to take part in the moon probe.”
McKie also stressed that the space agency received “no direct invitation” to study China’s lunar rocks after welcoming scientists worldwide to apply to study them.
China’s response. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Mao Ning told the Global Times that China is open to space exchanges with the U.S. It also welcomes other countries to study the lunar samples.
The research. The first paper, published last week, stands out because it describes the physical, mineralogical, and geochemical characteristics of the samples collected. They differ from previously known samples, highlighting their lower density and a more porous structure.
“However, the U.S. side seems to have forgotten to mention its domestic legislation such as the Wolf Amendment. The real question is whether U.S. scientists and institutions are allowed by their own government to participate in cooperation with China,” Mao said.
The Wolf Amendment. Also known as the Wolf-Dickey Amendment, this legislative provision prevents NASA and other U.S. government agencies from collaborating or participating in joint activities with China, specifically with entities linked to the government and the Communist Party. Republican Congressman Frank Wolf pushed for the provision in 2011. The administration included it in its budget to limit any space cooperation between the two countries.
Behind this is the U.S. concern for national security. Many lawmakers fear that working with the Asian country on space issues could lead to technology theft or U.S. cybersecurity and defense threats.
The problem, of course, is that the Wolf Amendment can work against NASA’s interests. As of today, and despite criticism that it limits scientific cooperation, it remains in place.
Image | CNSA
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