China builds simulated moon chamber to prep for crewed lunar landings

The nation aims to put boots on the moon by 2030.

Chinese scientists have built a chamber to simulate the conditions on the surface of the moon to help prepare the country for future lunar exploration.

The specially designed vacuum chamber features an electron gun to negatively charge dust, deuterium lights to produce ultraviolet rays to generate low-voltage positive electrical charge, and a vibrating screen designed to simulate flying dust.

Scientists at the facility have made an analogue to dust particles with similar properties to those on the moon. These elements together produce a chamber capable of testing materials and items in simulated lunar conditions.

Related: The latest news about China's space program

The facility was developed by the Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT), based in the city of Harbin in Heilongjiang province in northeast China.

"The comprehensive lunar surface simulator, which can simulate multiple environments very close to the real state on the moon, helps us [understand] the lunar dust formation mechanism in such an environment and its effects on spacecraft, spacesuits and astronauts and prepare us for a crewed moon landing in the future," Li Liyi, dean of the HIT's Institute of Space Environment and Material Science, told CCTV.

"At the experiment chamber, we can simulate six major kinds of environmental factors. It is an experiment facility that can simulate the most environmental factors and has the comprehensive performance most similar to the real space environment in the world," Li said.

— Here's what China's 1st moon landing with astronauts might look like (video)

— China's next moon missions get the green light

— China working on new moon rover for 2026 mission to lunar south pole

A leading Chinese lunar scientist said last month that China is working to land astronauts on the moon before 2030. The country is actively working on the hardware needed for the mission, including a new launch vehicle, a new-generation spacecraft for crew and a lunar lander.

A representative from the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), the country's main space contractor, presented an animated sequence earlier this year giving an impression of what the future Chinese crewed lunar landing might look like.

Join our Space Forums to keep talking space on the latest missions, night sky and more! And if you have a news tip, correction or comment, let us know at: [email protected].

Get breaking space news and the latest updates on rocket launches, skywatching events and more!

Andrew is a freelance space journalist with a focus on reporting on China's rapidly growing space sector. He began writing for Space.com in 2019 and writes for SpaceNews, IEEE Spectrum, National Geographic, Sky & Telescope, New Scientist and others. Andrew first caught the space bug when, as a youngster, he saw Voyager images of other worlds in our solar system for the first time. Away from space, Andrew enjoys trail running in the forests of Finland. You can follow him on Twitter @AJ_FI.

Loud launches: Researchers study how rocket noise affects endangered wildlife

Watch Space.com experience moon gravity at 30,000 feet in new mini-documentary out June 7

1st-ever private Venus mission delayed until at least 2025

By Robert LeaJune 06, 2023

By Mike WallJune 06, 2023

By Sharmila KuthunurJune 06, 2023

By Josh DinnerJune 05, 2023

By Jeff SpryJune 05, 2023

By Robert LeaJune 05, 2023

By Rahul RaoJune 05, 2023

By Andrew JonesJune 05, 2023

By Jeff SpryJune 05, 2023

By Charles Q. ChoiJune 05, 2023

Related