PolyU has made a significant stride in the realm of deep space exploration by acquiring 442.6 milligrammes (mg) of lunar soil samples from the Nation’s Chang’e-5 mission. The arrival of such precious materials enables the University to integrate further into the Nation’s lunar exploration endeavours.

The University obtained a surface soil sample weighing 400-mg and a 42.6-mg sample from a deeper drilling operation, approved by the Lunar Sample Management Office under the China National Space Administration’s Lunar Exploration and Space Engineering Centre. The Surface Sampling and Packing System developed by the University assisted in the collection of surface lunar samples by Chang’e-5 in 2020 and Chang’e-6 this year.

The 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).

These precious materials are currently stored in the lunar regolith storage and analysis system at PolyU’s Research Centre for Deep Space Explorations (RCDSE), under stringent conditions of 99.999% high-purity nitrogen to prevent contamination or oxidation. This unique state-of-the-art facility boasts an integrated multifunctional system equipped with nine advanced instruments, including lasers and X-rays. It allows researchers to conduct comprehensive in-situ analyses of the lunar regolith in 12 different ways without removing the samples from their controlled environment.

The Space Resources Laboratory of the RCDSE has set up a lunar regolith storage and analysis system to properly store and analyse the lunar soil in depth

Distinguished experts in lunar studies

Leading this groundbreaking research is a team of seasoned PolyU experts, spearheaded by Professor 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 RCDSE; and Professor Wu Bo, Fiona Cheung Professor in Spatial Science, Associate Head of the Department of Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics, and Associate Director of RCDSE. They are supported by 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. Their research is focused on analysing the micromorphology of agglutinate fragments in the lunar soil and investigating the sources of its water content.

Dr Lam Tai-fai, Council Chairman, congratulated the team for marking a magnificent chapter in the Nation’s aerospace history, stating, “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.”

The quest for lunar water

The study of lunar soil is crucial for understanding the formation of soil on the Moon’s surface and other celestial bodies, and the potential relationship of lunar water resources with solar wind. Professor Wu highlighted the importance of these findings for the sustainability of future human activities on the Moon. For instance, part of the upcoming Chang’e-7 and Chang’e-8 missions will be to form the basis for an international research station on the Moon. Water resources will be important for the sustainability of such research station. 

Professor Wu elaborated that lunar water could originate from several sources such as solar wind implantation, comet or meteorite impacts, or volcanic activity on the Moon. The global academic community is keenly interested in lunar soil studies, making even the smallest amount of lunar soil received extremely valuable. He believed that “a single grain of lunar soil” may hold the key to unlocking the mysteries of the Moon’s formation, evolution, and dynamic environment.

Continuing the legacy

Additionally, Professor Yung mentioned that the Chang’e-6 mission has brought back nearly 2 kilogrammes of lunar soil from the far side of the Moon. PolyU plans to apply a portion of these samples to conduct studies comparing the soil structures and water contents of the Moon’s near and far sides, potentially uncovering new insights into lunar geology.

PolyU’s involvement in national deep space missions such as Chang’e-3, 4, 5, and 6 since 2010 has solidified its expertise and reputation in the field. The University’s ongoing efforts in space research contribute to both local and national scientific advancement and bolster Hong Kong’s development as an international innovation and technology hub.

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