Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Since the turn of the 21st century, lunar exploration has seen a shift from singular missions to strategic plans aimed at establishing permanent lunar infrastructure. This new wave emphasizes comprehensive planning and phased implementation. Key initiatives include the U.S.’s Artemis program, which seeks to return humans to the Moon and prepare for deep-space exploration; the European Space Agency’s “Moon Village” concept, envisioning an international hub for lunar activities; and China’s International Lunar Research Station. These plans highlight the dual goals of understanding and utilizing the Moon. As a result, building a lunar base as a stepping stone for deep space exploration has become a priority for major spacefaring nations. The international development of lunar base construction showcases four key trends. Firstly, there is a growing integration of unmanned and manned missions. Unmanned probes have traditionally led lunar exploration with a focus on high-precision investigations. Meanwhile, manned missions are expanding human knowledge of the universe, moving toward extended stays and broader explorations. The distinction between unmanned and manned mission strategies is blurring, aiming for a unified approach. Secondly, scientific research is increasingly combined with resource utilization. The Moon provides an unparalleled specimen for studying the origins of the Earth-Moon system and the Solar System. Conducting research in this unique environment has become an international trend. Based on these findings, countries are developing plans for in-situ resource utilization (ISRU), which is diversifying. Scientific goals and ISRU objectives are mutually reinforcing, and evolving together. Thirdly, lunar exploration is transitioning from phase-specific missions to a combination of phased exploration and routine tasks. Following the systematic planning seen in space station development, lunar base construction is expected to feature both exploration phases and regular operations, reflecting more complex task planning. Lastly, exploration within the Earth-Moon space is being integrated with deeper space endeavors. Experience from Earth-Moon exploration is facilitating commercial exploitation, while deep-space efforts are focused on extraterrestrial life and planetary habitability. The Earth-Moon region serves as a testing ground for new technologies and a stepping stone for deep-space missions, promoting coordinated development. These trends indicate a future where multidisciplinary approaches and international cooperation will be crucial for advancing lunar presence and beyond. Based on the aforementioned analysis, this discussion reveals the opportunities and challenges faced by China in lunar base construction. Challenges encompass: (1) entering a new era of lunar exploration marked by intensifying international competition; (2) the strategic goals, planning, and roadmap for China’s lunar base construction are not yet clear; (3) the extreme lunar surface environment poses significant challenges to in-situ construction and operation. Opportunities include: (1) the International Lunar Research Station provides a crucial testing ground for lunar base construction; (2) manned lunar missions and subsequent tasks offer new development frameworks for base building; (3) advances in intelligent construction and China’s ambition to become a space power provide essential support for lunar projects. To address these factors, a strategic goal system for lunar base construction is outlined, covering both scientific and engineering objectives. Scientific goals focus on exploration and knowledge accumulation, guiding and defining the direction and requirements for engineering efforts. Engineering goals emphasize the realization and application of technology, ensuring necessary infrastructure supports scientific aims. Strategic recommendations are proposed from multiple angles, including top-level planning, innovation in technology, fostering the space industry, and establishing an international cooperation framework. These measures aim to inform scientific decision-making and ensure steady progress in China’s lunar base construction endeavors.
DOI: 10.1360/tb-2024-1356
Authors: Cheng Zhou, Yuyue Gao, Wenbo Qin, Lieyun Ding
Institution: Huazhong University of Science and Technology
Language: English
Subfield: Astronomy and Astrophysics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W4408806542