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PolyU contributes to Nation’s Chang’e-6 historic lunar far-side sampling mission and acquires Chang’e-5 lunar soil samples; Leading deep space exploration research

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) research team, after developing and manufacturing the “Surface Sampling and Packing System”, has assisted the Nation in completing the world’s first lunar far-side sampling for the Chang’e-6 lunar exploration mission. PolyU also recently obtained approval for the lending of lunar soil samples collected by the Chang’e-5 mission from the Lunar Sample Management Office under the China National Space Administration’s Lunar Exploration and Space Engineering Centre. The PolyU research team has obtained two distinct lunar soil samples: a surface soil sample weighing 400 milligrams, which was collected by PolyU’s Surface Sampling and Packing System; and a subsurface soil sample totalling 42.6 milligrams. The samples are currently stored in the lunar regolith storage and analysis system on the PolyU campus which is a unique state-of-the-art integrated multifunctional system for in-situ analysis, enabling researchers to conduct a comprehensive study on the lunar regolith without the need for leaving the storage environment. Dr LAM Tai-fai, Council Chairman of PolyU, congratulated the team for marking a magnificent chapter in the Nation’s aerospace history and said, “This year, PolyU is celebrating its 30th anniversary as a University. In the recently announced Quacquarelli Symonds World University Rankings for 2025, PolyU has reached new heights and ranked 57th globally. In addition to achieving this significant milestone, PolyU has successfully obtained approval from the Nation and acquired lunar soil samples collected by the Chang’e-5 mission. The PolyU team will treasure this incredibly precious gift.” Prof. Jin-Guang TENG, President of PolyU, said, “PolyU is committed to becoming an innovative, world-class university, highlighting the pivotal role of scientific research in driving innovation and positively impacting society. We focus on nurturing young scientific research talents and passing on research experience from one generation to the next. We will continue to collaborate with interdisciplinary experts and contribute to the Nation’s development towards becoming a major player in deep space exploration and scientific innovation.” The Chang’e-5 lunar sample in-depth analysis and research programme is spearheaded by a PolyU team with extensive experience in deep space explorations, led by Prof. YUNG Kai-leung, Sir Sze-yuen Chung Professor in Precision Engineering, Chair Professor of Precision Engineering and Associate Head of the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, and Director of the Research Centre for Deep Space Explorations (RCDSE), and Prof. WU Bo, Fiona Cheung Professor in Spatial Science, Associate Head of the Department of Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics and Associate Director of RCDSE. The research team, which also includes Dr Wang Xing, Postdoctoral Fellow of the Department of Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics, and Dr Sergey Krasilnikov, Research Assistant Professor of the same department, will delve into “Finding Water in Lunar Soil” through a microstructural analysis of lunar regolith, including its water content and formation process. Their findings will shed insights into the formation of soil on the Moon’s surface and other celestial bodies, as well as lunar water resources induced by solar wind implantation. Prof. Wu Bo said, “We are glad that our team has successfully applied for and received lunar soil samples from the National Astronomical Observatories in Beijing and brought them back to the PolyU campus for further analysis. The samples will provide valuable scientific insights. Our interdisciplinary team has extensive experience in space missions and our research embraces areas that encompass lunar geological research, topographic and geomorphological analysis of landing sites, development and manufacturing of space payloads, in-depth analysis of lunar soil samples, and space resource utilisation. We look forward to leveraging our research strengths to make further valuable contributions to innovation and technology development in Hong Kong and the Nation.” Prof. Yung Kai-leung noted, “The fact that our team designed and manufactured the Surface Sampling and Packing System for the 2020 Chang’e-5 probe, and brought back the youngest lunar samples yet discovered to Earth, which are now being stored on our campus, holds special meaning for our team. We also plan to apply for lunar samples from the Moon’s far side brought back to Earth by Chang’e-6 in order to make further contributions to humanity’s understanding of the Moon and outer space. With the return of the Mars samples and China’s manned lunar landing ranking high among its scientific priorities through 2030, we look forward to continuing to contribute to the Nation in the years ahead.” The lunar soil samples are rare and scientifically valuable, holding immense potential for pioneering scientific discoveries and future utilisation of lunar resources. A single grain of lunar soil may hold the key to unlocking the mysteries of the Moon’s formation, evolution, and dynamic environment. The achievements from lunar sample research can also bring long-term benefits to Earth and benefit humanity. As space exploration evolves, with space resource utilisation now emerging as a priority for future programmes, the Space Resources Laboratory at PolyU’s RCDSE has developed resilient capabilities to store and analyse extraterrestrial samples in high-purity nitrogen protection devices for long-term interdisciplinary research. With a vision for the future, the Laboratory is well poised to handle samples from Mars and asteroids, laying the groundwork for the Nation’s further aerospace development. Led by Prof. Yung Kai-leung (centre) and Prof. Wu Bo (left), both seasoned experts in deep space exploration initiatives, the Chang’e-5 lunar soil analysis research has brought together a distinguished team, including Dr Wang Xing (right), to pioneer research on water trapped in lunar soil. Prof. Wu Bo (left) and Dr Wang Xing (right) of the Department of Land Surveying and Geo-informatics bring together decades of combined research experience in lunar geology, and landing area mapping and analysis. PolyU has successfully acquired lunar soil samples collected by China’s Chang’e-5 mission, including a 400 mg surface sample(left)and a 42.6 mg deep drill sample(right). The Space Resources Laboratory of the PolyU Deep Space Exploration Research Center has set up a lunar soil sample storage and analysis facility to properly store and analyse the lunar soil in depth.   ***END***  

RCDSE Webinar - A New Era of Deep Space Exploration

RCDSE was very pleased to have Prof. James HEAD,  Dr YANG Wei and Prof. TANG Xu Hai invited as the speakers of the RCDSE Online Seminar on 18th January, 2023 at 8:00 to 10:00 pm with the topic - A New Era of Deep Space Exploration.    YouTube link:  https://youtu.be/33lTe7lgk8o   Short bio of speakers:    Prof. James W HEAD Brown University   Dr James W. Head III is the Louis and Elizabeth Scherck Distinguished Professor at Brown University. He obtained his Bachelor of Science degree from Washington and Lee University in 1964 and PhD from Brown University in 1969. He has been involved in many national and international space missions and received numerous prestigious medals and awards, including the NASA Medal for Exceptional Scientific Achievement and the Geological Society of America Special Commendation for his contributions to the Apollo program from 1968 to 1972. He has published over 700 journal papers (Google Scholar citations: >73,000) and served on the editorial board of numerous journals. He has been elected to Fellowship in the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the American Geophysical Union, the Geological Society of America, and the Meteoritical Society, and President of the Planetary Geology Division of the GSA and Planetology Section of the AGU.   Dr YANG, Wei Key Laboratory of Earth and Planetary Physics Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences   Dr Wei YANG is currently a Professor of Geochemistry at the Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (IGGCAS). He received BSc (2001) and Ph.D. (2007) degrees in geochemistry from the University of Science and Technology of China. After completing his Ph.D., he came to IGGCAS for post-doctoral research and joined the comparative planetary science group as an Associate Professor in 2011. His main interest in the past decade was Mg isotope geochemistry and its application in tracing the deep carbon cycle. He is currently working on the formation and evolution of the Moon based on the exploration data and return samples of the Chinese Lunar Exploration Program.    Prof. TANG, Xuhai Wuhan University   Prof. Xuhai Tang is professor at Wuhan University. He got PhD degree at Imperial College London and was postdoc at Princeton University. Currently, he is the editorial board member of International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences. His group developed the system of Microscale Rock Mechanics Experiment (Micro-RME) and Accurate Grain-Based Model (AGBM), which is able to measure the rock-forming minerals under extreme conditions and determine their influence on the macroscale mechanical property of rocks. This system is especially useful to test the filling materials in fractures and arbitrarily-shaped meteorites. Additionally, his ground developed an Aifrac simulator, to model rock fracturing driven by Hydraulic-Mechanical-Thermal coupling process, such as the shock veins on asteroids. Prof. Tang’s achievement contributes to smarter energy exploitation and space exploration.

STEAM Education Fair 2022

The Education Bureau (EDB) launches from November 26 until January 31 next year the virtual STEAM Education Fair 2022 with the theme "Inspiring Creativity • Promoting Innovation". The event was held in line with the promotion of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics) education as outlined in "The Chief Executive's 2022 Policy Address". Officiating at the opening ceremony, the Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, said that the country attaches great importance to the development of innovation and technology (I&T) in Hong Kong. In line with the development of Hong Kong into an international I&T hub, emphasis should be put on nurturing versatile talent and equipping students with the capability to meet the changes and challenges brought about by rapid scientific and technological development. Officiating guests at the ceremony today also included Sir Sze-yuen Chung Professor in Precision Engineering and Director of Research Centre for Deep Space Explorations of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Professor Yung Kai-leung; Choh-Ming Li Professor of Life Sciences of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Professor Lam Hon-ming; the Chairperson of the Curriculum Development Council Standing Committee on STEAM Education, Professor Ng Tai-kai; and the Museum Director of Hong Kong Science Museum, Mr Lee Wai-kwan. Professor Yung delivered a keynote speech at the ceremony on his respective areas of expertise and elucidated space industry is a multi-disciplinary research subject and how it inextricably intertwined with various areas of expertise. Via STEAM education, students can be inspired by knowledge learnt from multi-aspects and generate innovative ideas that benefits mankind like the space industry. For more details of the STEAM Education Fair 2022, please visit:https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202211/26/P2022112500305.htm.

Space Instruments for Lunar Sample Acquisition awarded The Science and Technology Progress Award

RCDSE designed and manufactured the state-of-the-art “Surface Sampling and Packing System”, which successfully contributed to the National’s Chang’e 5 mission for lunar sample acquisition. This historical invention was awarded “The Science and Technology Progress Award -  2nd Class” (科學技術進步獎-二等獎) by China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) in recognition of PolyU’s scientific innovation and technological advancement, and also received an appreciation letter from The China Academy of Space Technology (CAST) for the University’s contribution to space instruments. The Chang’e 5 mission in 2020 was not only China’s first undertaking to acquire rocks and soil from the Moon’s surface but also the world's first attempt to do so for more than 40 years. PolyU was the only tertiary institution in Hong Kong to contribute to the Chang'e 5 mission. The PolyU-developed system “Surface Sampling and Packing System” is a highly sophisticated invention that uses robotic technology for lunar sample acquisition – an unprecedented method. It was developed by a research team led by Professor Yung Kai-leung , Sir Sze-yuen Chung Professor in Precision Engineering, Director of Research Centre of Deep Space Explorations, Chair Professor of Precision Engineering & Associate Head, Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering. Prof Yung has also been individually bestowed “The Science and Technology Progress Award -  2nd Class". 

PolyU Space Experiment Competition Results Announcement

RCDSE and GEO have organized a science education program titled “Science World: Exploring Space to Benefit Mankind”, which has launched for secondary school students. The space experiment competition under the programme has attracted 26 experiment proposals from 22 secondary schools. The judging panel, comprising leading PolyU experts including Professor YUNG Kai-leung, Director of the Research Centre for Deep Space Explorations (RCDSE), Professor WU Bo of the Department of Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics (LSGI), Professor Eric CHENG Ka-wai of the Department of Electrical Engineering, and Professor YU Siu-Fung of the Department of Applied Physics, has awarded the championship, first runners-up and second runners-up prizes to teams from Diocesan Boys’ School, Diocesan Girls’ School and St. Paul’s Convent School, respectively. The winning teams will be awarded a grant in cash as an incentive for the students and to help promote STEM education at their schools. The judging panel evaluated the proposals based on feasibility, creativity, scientific knowledge, scientific value, as well as presentation skills. Experts from the RCDSE will offer guidance and modifications to the winning proposal, so that it could have a chance to be performed at the China Space Station.

RCDSE’s contribution to the Nation’s aerospace projects illustrated in the National Security Education Picture Book for Children

RCDSE’s contribution to the Nation’s aerospace projects, including the camera system and sample collection device, were illustrated in the National Security Education Picture Book for Children, “Wonders of the Stars”, published by the HK Government.   The children picture book, created to promote the National Security Education Day, highlighted China’s great achievements in aerospace science and technology to bring out the basic concepts of outer space security, the essential elements of “holistic view of national security”. (Wen Wei Po A02, A19, 16 April 2022)  

Award-winning Project by RCDSE: Camera Pointing System for China’s Lunar Exploration Missions (Chang'e 3 and 4)

Research Team led by Prof. Yung Kai-leung of the Research Centre for Deep Space Explorations which received the Gold Medal with Congratulations of the Jury at the Geneva Inventions Expo lately. The team is the only university in Hong Kong taking part in the Nation’s space missions and actively developing instruments for the national space mission by leveraging its expertise in precision engineering. The awarded project entitled “Camera Pointing System for China’s Lunar Exploration Missions (Chang'e 3 and 4)”. Installed on top of the lunar lander, it facilitates panoramic image capturing and rover movement observation on the moon, and helps construct a precision 3D model of the landscape for safe rovering. With a complex design and a weight of only 2.8 kg, it is sturdy enough to protect the camera against shock and vibration during the space mission and ensure its proper functioning under the extreme lunar environment. The invention was completed and successfully deployed on the Moon front surface with the Chang’e 3 and Moon far side with the Chang’e 4 missions of China’s Lunar Exploration Programme. Please click the link to watch the video for this award-winning project: https://bit.ly/3Kbuslu

RCDSE study found impact remnants on the Moon that may provide source of water

A study led by the National Space Science Center of Chinese Academy of Sciences and joined by Prof. Wu Bo, Associate Director of Research Centre for Deep Space Explorations and Associate Head of Department of Land Surveying and Geo-informatics of PolyU, has found carbonaceous chondrite remnants of an impactor in a young lunar crater formed within one million years, a first-time discovery of such fragments by in-situ investigation on the far side of the Moon. Scientists suggests that carbonaceous chondrite-like meteorites may provide 10 to 20% of the sources of water to the present Moon. Prof. Wu’s involvement in the research was to use innovative 3D mapping technology to create a detailed 3D topographic model of the 2-m size crater from the lunar surface images acquired by the Yutu-2 rover of Chang’e-4. The 3D morphological characteristic of the crater is critical to judge if the crater was resulted from a meteorite impact or not. The results were published in the scientific journal Nature Astronomy (https://doi.org/10.1038/s41550-021-01530-w). Please refer to the following links for the media interviews:  Ta Kung Pao - https://polyu.me/2ZIFw7Q China News - https://polyu.me/3rmLyqd 北京晚報 - https://polyu.me/3xNQupd The Cover - https://polyu.me/3pezAfv Sina - https://polyu.me/3EeYJgp Sohu - https://polyu.me/32Q6Cev Toutiao - https://polyu.me/3Effl7F 一點資訊 - https://polyu.me/3G2uyd0  

No space for “trial and error” in exploration of the universe, says Professor Yung Kai-leung

PolyU’s Professor Yung Kai-leung, Sir Sze-yuen Chung Professor in Precision Engineering, Chair Professor of Precision Engineering, Director of the Research Centre for Deep Space Explorations, and Associate Head of Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, has been closely working with the China Academy of Space Technology for a decade. He and his research team have developed numerous state-of-the-art space devices that have played critical roles in many of China’s Moon and Mars missions in recent years. But behind the scenes of these successful space feats, Professor Yung said that at the end of the day, it is his persistence in upholding some simple but critical virtues that have made his space dreams come true. Above all, Professor Yung says in this video that there is no space for trial and error when it comes to rockets and other astronautical endeavours. Source: No space for “trial and error” in exploration of the universe, says Professor Yung Kai-leung | September 2021 Issue 10 | Pulse@PolyU

Developed a sophisticated space instrument, the “Mars Landing Surveillance Camera (Mars Camera) and contributed to the Nation’s first Mars mission

Space research team and Industrial Center contributed to the Nation’s first Mars exploration project Tianwen-1 by developing and manufacturing the Mars Camera. Professor WU Bo from LSGI Planetary Remote Sensing Lab helped identify possible landing regions with advanced topographic mapping and geomorphological analysis technologies. Professor YUNG Kai-leung developed the Mars Camera for photographing on the Mars surface the lander’s surroundings and monitoring the status of the Zhurong Mars rover. The spacecraft for the Tianwen-1 probe comprises an orbiter, a lander and the Zhurong rover, that has completed orbiting, landing and roving in one single mission, the first of such attempt in global aerospace history. The mission aims to obtain scientific exploration data on the Red Planet. Tianwen-1 successfully landed on a pre-selected landing region on the Utopia Planitia of Mars on 15 May 2021. A press conference was held on 21 May 2021 at PolyU to share the research details.