The benefits of developing space technology and exploring the universe

From the successful launch of Shenzhou series to the landing of American Opportunity and Spirit on Mars, space exploration has increasingly become the focus of global attention. In a university in Northeast China, a group of people are also making unremitting efforts for China's space exploration. A few days ago, our reporter went to Harbin Institute of Technology for an interview. Professor Cui Pingyuan, director of the Deep Space Exploration Center of our school, unveiled the mystery of deep space exploration in China. The following is a record of the dialogue.

Why deep space exploration?

Professor Cui: The earth where human beings live is just a drop in the ocean in the vast universe. Since ancient times, it has been the unremitting goal of mankind to understand space and explore the origin of life on earth and beyond. With the development of artificial earth satellite and manned space technology, human beings have a deeper understanding of the universe. Exploring deeper and wider space has become the third major goal of modern human space activities.

According to the white paper "Space in China" published by China in 2000, deep space exploration refers to the detection of planets and their satellites, asteroids and comets in the solar system, as well as the detection of the entire universe outside the Milky Way and even the solar system. It is another space technology development field after satellite application and manned spaceflight.

What are the benefits of exploring outer space for human beings?

Professor Cui: Deep space exploration is of great significance for human beings to understand the origin, evolution history and present situation of the solar system, further understand the formation and evolution of the earth's environment, explore the origin and evolution of life, and actively develop and utilize space resources.

The overall scientific goal of deep space exploration can be roughly summarized as: exploring the solar system and the universe, including the origin and evolution of life; Development and utilization of space resources, space environment, energy and resources; Developing space technology and promoting scientific and technological progress; Expand the living space of human beings; Serve the long-term sustainable development of human society.

What are the steps and timetable of Chang 'e plan?

Professor Cui: Deep space exploration is a comprehensive reflection of a country's comprehensive national strength and scientific and technological level. In the aspect of lunar exploration, China started its initial research work in the 1990s. A number of scientific research institutes, such as Aerospace Science and Technology Group, Chinese Academy of Sciences and our school, have successively carried out research on the overall scheme, orbit and control of the lunar probe. Up to now, the first phase of the "lunar exploration project" has been approved, and the second and third phases of the project are in the process of demonstration. The lunar exploration project is divided into three phases: the first phase, referred to as "around the moon", is expected to launch a lunar exploration satellite, fly around the moon and take back three-dimensional images within three years; The second phase of the project is falling. 20 10 years ago, a lunar rover or robot will be sent to the surface of the moon for scientific exploration. The third phase of the project, called "Return", will return to Earth after completing tasks such as collecting moon samples by 2020.

What is China's next destination in outer space?

Professor Cui: Another striking celestial body in deep space exploration is the nearest planet to human beings-Mars. Mars is the closest planet to the earth outside the earth's orbit, second only to Venus, and also the farthest rocky planet from the sun in the solar system, which is most similar to the earth. There is a thin atmosphere and thousands of dry river beds around Mars. Because of its special location, size and the environment closest to the earth, Mars has attracted much attention as the best place for human beings to emigrate to space, so the direct exploration of Mars is very attractive.

In the past 40 years, the United States, Japan, Russia and Europe have launched more than 30 Mars exploration programs. Although two-thirds of the missions ended in failure, these missions took a lot of photos on the surface of Mars and obtained rich data, which laid a solid foundation for the future soft landing of Mars and human landing on Mars. 2003 was the busiest year for human exploration of Mars, and three Mars probes were launched in total: two American Mars exploration rovers, Spirit and Opportunity, landed on Mars, and ESA's Mars express orbiter began to explore with Beagle -2. This Mars exploration is the largest long-distance space science research activity since Apollo landed on the moon, and the Mars exploration activity with a history of more than 40 years has entered a new active period.

Why is deep space exploration aimed at asteroids and comets?

Professor Cui: Asteroids and comets are early materials in the solar system. Studying asteroids and comets is of great significance to the study of solar system, planetary evolution and earth science. Since the mid-1980s, the United States, Japan, ESA and the former Soviet Union have launched probes to detect them. During the return of Comet Halley from 1985- 1986, five spacecraft made close observation of it and made many amazing discoveries. NEAR-Earth asteroid rendezvous (NEAR) probe launched by the United States flew over Mathilda No.253 on June 27th, 1997, and took many images. Japan launched the Muse C asteroid probe in May 2003, preparing to carry out the task of bringing back rock fragments from asteroids for the first time. With the successful launch of various detectors and the progress of human science and technology, the detection of comets and asteroids has become one of the hot spots in deep space exploration in the new century.

At home, with the support of the National Space Administration, the Tenth Five-Year Plan and the 863 Plan, after years of systematic research, our school has achieved good research results in the overall design of small deep space probes, multi-task orbit design, autonomous management technology of detectors, autonomous navigation technology and autonomous landing technology, and initially formed a ground simulation system for deep space exploration, which will provide a solid technical foundation for the implementation of deep space exploration projects in China in the future.

How will we explore outer space in the next 10 year?