基于载人月球探测关键科学问题的前沿交叉研判研究

李献华等
摘要

月球探测是解开地月系统起源之谜的关键,也是人类迈向深空探测的第一站。过去十几年间,中国探月工程(嫦娥工程)取得举世瞩目的成就:成功突破并掌握了抵达月球表面并采样返回的工程能力;更以人类首次月球背面着陆巡视探测、首次获取月球风暴洋克里普地体最年轻火山样品等历史性突破,显著深化了人类对月球演化的认知。在此基础上,中国提出在2030年前实现首次载人登月,充分发挥航天员的优势开展月球探测。未来还将进一步协同有人与无人任务,开展全月球的综合科考,并开启月球应用研究的新时代。本报告剖析了载人探月的优势,同时注重与无人探测的协同效应,凝练出可能取得重大突破的基础性月球科学问题,提出关键工程技术需求,为规划未来探月目标奠定重要基础。同时,基于月球探测历程和发展趋势的分析,提出我国月球科学探索与应用研究的发展思路和政策建议。

Abstract

Lunar exploration is deemed crucial for uncovering the origins of the Earth-Moon system and is the first step for advancing humanity’s exploration of deep space. Over the past decade, the Chinese Lunar Exploration Program (CLEP), also known as the Chang’e (CE) Project, has achieved remarkable milestones. It has successfully developed and demonstrated the engineering capability required to reach and return from the lunar surface. Notably, the CE Project has made historic firsts with the landing and on-site exploration of the far side of the Moon, along with the collection of the youngest volcanic samples from the Procellarum KREEP Terrane. These achievements have significantly enhanced our understanding of lunar evolution. Building on this foundation, China aims to achieve its first crewed lunar landing by 2030, leveraging astronauts' advantages to advance lunar exploration. Moving forward, the country will further integrate crewed and uncrewed missions to conduct comprehensive scientific investigations across the entire Moon, marking a new era of scientific exploration and utilization of the Moon. This report explores the benefits of crewed lunar exploration while leveraging synergies with robotic exploration, refining fundamental lunar scientific questions that could lead to significant breakthroughs and proposing the respective engineering and technological requirements. This research lays a crucial foundation for defining the objectives of future lunar exploration, emphasizing the importance of crewed missions and offering insights into potential advancements in lunar science.

基于载人月球探测关键科学问题的前沿交叉研判研究 项目组

本项目由国家自然科学基金委与中国科学院联合资助