National awards recognise RCDSE’s contributions to space missions

Congratulations to Prof. YUNG Kai-leung, Director of the Research Centre for Deep Space Explorations (RCDSE), and Prof. WU Bo, Associate Director of RCDSE, on receiving Outstanding Awards (Individual) for their distinguished contributions to the Nation’s Lunar Exploration Mission Chang’e-5 and First Mars Exploration Mission, respectively!

The “Surface Sampling and Packing System” developed by Prof. Yung’s team accomplished the tasks of automatic sample collection and packaging on the lunar surface following the soft landing of the Chang’e 5 probe in 2020. The topographic mapping and geomorphological analysis technologies developed by Prof. Wu’s team successfully identified safe and scientifically valuable landing sites on Mars for Tianwen-1 in 2021.

Presented by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, China National Space Administration and four other ministries, the Awards recognise individuals and groups who have made distinguished contributions to the Nation’s lunar and Mars missions. The PolyU team’s contribution to the Chang’e-5 mission was also recognised with a group award.