China 공개 Moon Soil and Rocks to the Public... Showcasing Space Ambitions

Xi Jinping Encourages Scientists: "Continue Space Research, Fulfill Humanity's Dream"
Tianwen-1 Mars Probe Expected to Attempt Landing Ahead of CPC's 100th Anniversary

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Jo Young-shin] The lunar soil brought back by China's unmanned lunar probe 'Chang'e 5' will be made available to the public. Chang'e 5 landed in the region known as the Sea of Storms, collected 2 kg of lunar soil and rock samples, and returned to Earth on December 17 last year.

According to China's state-run People's Daily and Xinhua News Agency on the 23rd, the Chinese Academy of Sciences revealed the lunar soil brought back by Chang'e 5 at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing the day before, with President Xi Jinping and other members of the Politburo Standing Committee in attendance.

Chinese President Xi Jinping is observing the lunar soil samples brought back by Chang'e 5. (Photo by People's Daily)

At the event, President Xi said, "We have successfully completed the three-stage lunar project of launch, landing, and return," adding, "The direct collection of lunar soil and rock samples holds great significance for the development of China's aerospace industry." He continued, "All staff involved in the lunar exploration project have worked hard," encouraging the participants by saying, "Let us continue to strive for the advancement of space science and space technology and realize humanity's shared dream of space exploration."

Xinhua News Agency reported that the 1,731 grams of soil and rock brought back by Chang'e 5 consist of silicon, aluminum, magnesium, iron, calcium, potassium, titanium, and other elements, which will help in studying the origin and evolution of the Moon.

Li Chunlai, a researcher at the National Astronomical Observatories of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, said, "Investigations into the physical properties and chemical composition of the lunar soil and rocks are underway, and some analyses have been completed," adding, "We plan to share the research results and further advance lunar studies."

Soil collected from the lunar surface by China's Chang'e 5 is contained in a specially designed container. China plans to make the lunar soil available to the public. (Photo by Pengpai)

Xinhua News Agency also reported that some of the lunar soil and rock samples will soon be exhibited to the public through the National Museum of China.

China is preparing a four-stage lunar exploration project aiming to build an unmanned base on the Moon by 2025 and achieve manned lunar missions around 2030.

Meanwhile, another example of China's space ambitions, the Mars probe 'Tianwen 1,' successfully entered Mars orbit on the 10th. Tianwen 1 is scheduled to attempt a landing on the Martian surface around May to June.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.