Attendees at China's first international conference on space habitation and exploitation were given a tour of a vast underground cave system that Chinese researchers are hoping to use as a testing ground for living on the moon and Mars.
Xie Gengxin, from the Centre of Space Exploration at Chongqing University in southwestern China, organised the visit to Youyang Base, where large-scale closed cave ecosystem validation research is under way.
The Youyang cave system spans about 3,000 metres (9,840 feet), with the widest section measuring 130 metres (427 feet) and its highest point reaching 108 metres (354 feet).
"Earth's caves provide an excellent simulation of lunar lava tubes in terms of internal structure, natural environment, and isolation from the external world," said Xie.
Xie and his team first proposed in 2019 that the moon's hollow, tubelike caves, formed by volcanic activity, might be suitable for human habitation and suggested that the environment could be simulated using natural underground spaces on Earth.
The proposal followed that year's successful germination of cotton seeds on the moon's far side, as part of the Chang'e 4 lunar landing mission.
Xie, who was chief designer of the moon surface micro-ecological circle, revealed at the time that cotton, rapeseed, potato, arabidopsis – commonly known as rock cress – as well as yeast and fruit flies, were chosen for the experiment.
Bases on the moon and Mars will be essential components of future deep space exploration, but their extreme environments present significant challenges – including temperature fluctuations, intense radiation and frequent meteorite impacts.
In contrast, the recently discovered lava tubes on the moon can withstand meteorites and radiation, while maintaining relatively stable internal temperatures.
And if the ceilings are thick enough, the tubes could be pressurised to standard atmospheric levels, making them a promising site for future lunar bases, according to the scientists.
To validate the relevant technologies in advance on Earth, Xie and his team of researchers turned to the karst landscapes that are a feature of parts of southwest and southern China.
They explored hundreds of caves across Chongqing, as well as Sichuan, Hunan and Hainan provinces before deciding to focus on caves in Wulong and Youyang for further design work.
Editor: CH
Most Popular
Lucky Queen wins prizes 500 times in a year worth US$70K reveals
Broke ex millionaire's last possession auctioned off – Sprite
Tourist surge in mysterious "Ailao Mountains" sparks warnings
Press "wow"
No comments:
Post a Comment