Recently, a reporter learned from the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences (hereinafter referred to as "HIPS, CAS") that in late June, the institute received the seventh lunar research sample, 500 milligrams of lunar soil from the Lunar Exploration and Space Engineering Center (LESEC) of the China National Space Administration (CNSA). This marks the first public appearance of lunar soil samples on Hefei Science Island.

What is the purpose of acquiring lunar soil samples? How can one successfully obtain them? According to an associate researcher at the institute, in April this year, he successfully passed the review process for the seventh lunar scientific sample loan application organized by the LESEC and was allocated 500 milligrams of lunar soil.

Lunar soil, as a substance from outside Earth, has long captivated the interest of scientists. The successful implementation of the Chang'e 5 mission not only marked China's first extraterrestrial body sampling but also provided invaluable lunar soil samples that hold immense scientific value for understanding the origin and evolution of the Moon as well as the history of the solar system.

After successfully obtaining the precious lunar soil samples from the Chang'e 5 mission, the team will conduct in-depth research on the samples' physical properties, material sources, and chemical composition. This research will provide critical data for determining key technical indicators for payloads and support experiments related to lunar soil water content and isotope detection.

The HIPS, CAS, as the lead unit, is currently responsible for developing the payload for the Chang'e 7 mission. Once this payload lands on the Moon, it will become the first human probe to land in the permanently shadowed region of the lunar South Pole under harsh conditions. The mission will conduct in-situ detection of water and ice in the permanently shadowed region, addressing key scientific questions such as the existence of water on the Moon, its content, and its sources.

Source: Hefei Evening News