Chang'e-6 and Chandrayaan-3: The Truth and Gap Behind Lunar Exploration

Tech 2024-08-02 13:48:10 Source: Network

Chang'e-6 and Chandrayaan-3: The Truth and Gap Behind Lunar ExplorationIn recent years, as nations' enthusiasm for space exploration continues to surge, lunar exploration has become a global focal point. China's Chang'e-6 probe successfully landed on the far side of the moon and brought back precious lunar soil, causing a huge sensation internationally

Chang'e-6 and Chandrayaan-3: The Truth and Gap Behind Lunar Exploration

In recent years, as nations' enthusiasm for space exploration continues to surge, lunar exploration has become a global focal point. China's Chang'e-6 probe successfully landed on the far side of the moon and brought back precious lunar soil, causing a huge sensation internationally. However, India's Chandrayaan-3 probe also achieved lunar landing, and its low cost has attracted attention. Some people can't help but ask: why can India complete a lunar landing with just $74.6 million, while China spends billions of yuan? Is it because China's technology is inferior?

Chang

This article will delve into China and India's lunar programs, uncovering the truth behind them, and analyzing the gap in the two countries' probe technologies, thereby providing readers with a more comprehensive and objective understanding.

Chang

I. Behind India's "Cheap" Lunar Landing: Leveraging External Forces and the Gap in Actual Capabilities

Chang

India has been committed to developing its own space technology, viewing it as a crucial symbol of national strength. In recent years, India has invested heavily in the aerospace field and achieved some success, such as the successful launch of the Chandrayaan-3 probe on July 14, 2023. However, Chandrayaan-3's low cost has raised questions.

Chang

India claims that the Chandrayaan-3 launch only cost $74.6 million, while similar projects in the United States often cost $9 billion, equivalent to 1/100 of the US space program. Such a significant cost difference is surprising, but it also raises questions about India's space capabilities.

Chang

1. Leveraging External Forces: "Borrowing eggs from a chicken" with support from the US and Europe

Chang

India's Chandrayaan-3 project's "low cost" does not stem from its own technological breakthroughs, but rather from its strategic cooperation with Western nations. India's space program has long relied on support from Western countries, particularly the United States and Europe.

Chang

Deep cooperation with NASA and ESA: In the Chandrayaan-3 project, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has maintained a deep cooperative relationship with NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA). The US and Europe have provided India with crucial technical support, including providing remote sensing signal calculations, deep space antenna support, and plan development. Without the support of the US and Europe, the Chandrayaan-3 probe would likely have lost its signal after leaving Earth, let alone successfully landing on the moon.

Chang

Dependence on deep space network services: India's deep space tracking and control capabilities are limited, with only one deep space tracking station in Bangalore. The US and Europe have well-established deep space networks, providing crucial support for India. Without NASA and ESA's deep space network services, India's lunar program would face significant challenges.

Chang

2. The Gap in Actual Capabilities: Parts Assembly vs. Technology Research and Development

Chang

The reason India's Chandrayaan-3 probe can achieve lunar landing at a lower cost is closely related to its chosen technological route. India's space sector has not engaged in extensive independent research and development, instead choosing to import parts from abroad for assembly, which contrasts sharply with China's model of independent research and development.

Chang

The "shortcut" of parts assembly: India has saved significant research and development and production costs by adopting a "buying parts and assembling" model. For example, many parts on Chandrayaan-3 are directly imported from abroad, similar to how India manufactures the Arjun tank and Tejas fighter jet. This "borrowed strength" strategy, while it can quickly improve aerospace technology levels, can also hinder the achievement of true technological breakthroughs.

Chang

The gap in research and development investment: China has invested heavily in research and development in the aerospace field, from basic materials and core components to software systems, all with independent research and development and production. This not only ensures the reliability and safety of the probe but also accumulates valuable aerospace technology for China, laying the foundation for deeper space exploration in the future.

Chang

3. Actual Capabilities Deficiency: Frequent Failures and "Face-Saving Projects"

Chang

While India's Chandrayaan-3 probe successfully landed on the moon, its actual performance has serious issues. According to reports, after Chandrayaan-3 landed on the moon, its engine and sensors malfunctioned, nearly becoming "scrap metal." This indicates that India's aerospace technology has obvious shortcomings, and its probe is not truly "usable."

Chang

The alarm bell of frequent failures: Chandrayaan-3's malfunctioning issues reflect a significant gap between India's aerospace technology level and that of developed countries. India still has shortcomings in research and development and quality control, failing to ensure the reliable operation of the probe in extreme environments.

The essence of "face-saving projects": The Chandrayaan-3 project has been suspected by the outside world to be a "face-saving project" conducted by India to maintain its national image. The Indian government may be more concerned with the news of a successful lunar landing than the actual function of the probe. This "means over ends" approach is not conducive to the long-term development of India's space industry.

II. China's Lunar Exploration: A Reflection of Independent Research and Development and Technological Leadership

China has consistently pursued independent research and development in the aerospace field and achieved remarkable achievements that have attracted worldwide attention. From Chang'e-1 to Chang'e-6, China's lunar program has steadily advanced, continuously breaking through technological bottlenecks, showcasing the strength of China's space capabilities.

1. Chang'e-1: A Milestone in Laying the Foundation

Launched in 2007, China's Chang'e-1 was China's first lunar probe, marking China's official entry into the lunar exploration era. Chang'e-1 not only successfully orbited the moon for a year but also obtained full lunar imagery data, laying a solid foundation for future lunar programs.

Independent research and development and technological breakthroughs: Chang'e-1's success demonstrated China's independent research and development capabilities in aerospace technology. China not only possesses independently developed launch vehicles and probes but also masters key technologies, such as orbital control and deep space communication.

The valuable wealth of scientific data: Chang'e-1 acquired a wealth of lunar scientific data, providing important reference values for studying the formation and evolution of the moon. This data also provided important theoretical foundations for China's subsequent lunar programs.

2. Chang'e-6: Technological Advancement and Practical Applications

Chang'e-6, a crucial step in China's lunar program, aims to collect soil samples from the far side of the moon and bring them back to Earth, which will fill the gap in human understanding of the lunar far side. The success of Chang'e-6 is not only a display of technology but also the realization of a scientific research breakthrough.

Advanced technological level: Chang'e-6 has employed multiple advanced technologies, including landing on the lunar far side, lunar soil sample collection, deep space communication, etc., showcasing the continuous advancement of China's aerospace technology.

Scientific research breakthroughs: The lunar far side soil samples collected by Chang'e-6 will provide scientists with valuable research materials, helping humans gain a deeper understanding of the formation, evolution, resource distribution, and other aspects of the moon.

3. The Gap Between China and India's Lunar Technology: Not a "Money" Issue

The cost difference between China and India's lunar programs is not simply a technological gap, but rather reflects the differences in the two countries' space technology development philosophies and investment models. China places greater emphasis on independent research and development and long-term accumulation, while India leans more towards "borrowed strength" and short-term benefits.

The advantages of independent research and development: China insists on independent research and development in the aerospace field, not only mastering key technologies but also accumulating rich experience, laying a solid foundation for future space exploration.

Results of long-term accumulation: China's aerospace technology has not been achieved overnight but rather is the result of years of sustained investment and technological accumulation. This long-term investment and accumulation have laid the foundation for China's leading position in the aerospace field.

III. Conclusion: Future Development Requires Down-to-Earth Efforts and Joint Exploration of the Space Future

While India has achieved some success in lunar landing, it has also exposed the shortcomings of its aerospace technology level. India still has a significant gap compared to China in fundamental technology research and development and practical applications. India needs to place greater emphasis on independent research and development and technological accumulation in the aerospace field, avoiding excessive reliance on external forces, to realize its true dream of becoming an aerospace power.

China should continue to adhere to independent research and development,, continuously improve its aerospace technology level, to make greater contributions to humanity's exploration of the universe.

There is immense potential for cooperation between China and India in the aerospace field, jointly promoting the progress of space exploration and making greater contributions to the advancement of human civilization.

Finally, it needs to be emphasized that the comparison between China and India's lunar programs is not intended to make simple judgments of superiority or inferiority, but rather to inspire reflection on the path of space

Disclaimer: The content of this article is sourced from the internet. The copyright of the text, images, and other materials belongs to the original author. The platform reprints the materials for the purpose of conveying more information. The content of the article is for reference and learning only, and should not be used for commercial purposes. If it infringes on your legitimate rights and interests, please contact us promptly and we will handle it as soon as possible! We respect copyright and are committed to protecting it. Thank you for sharing.(Email:[email protected])

Mobile advertising space rental

Tag: and Chang e-6 Chandrayaan-3 The Truth Gap Behind Lunar