Why does Chang'e 4 conduct satellite ecosystem experiments on the lunar surface?

If humans build a lunar base in the future, transporting supplies to the base will be a big trouble. It is better to solve it on the spot. The micro-ecosphere on the lunar surface of Chang'e-4 is the same as that of Yuegong-1 on the earth. In order to explore artificial ecology circle construction.

Currently, space launches are still relatively expensive. Although technology has improved and the demand for aerospace is greater, the cost of space launches has been reduced a lot. Transporting supplies to the moon is still a problem. Build an artificial ecosystem and use soilless cultivation and other technologies within the facility to create a stable and sustainable ecosystem. You can grow your own food and drink, and use excretion waste after treatment as fertilizer for plants. The lunar surface 9 micro-ecosystem carried by Chang'e 4 is to test this idea and observe the growth patterns of plants and small animals. It is considered a small-scale experiment.

For future landings on more distant celestial bodies, early stage personnel may need to "never come back" and undertake the task of building and developing bases on celestial bodies. This of course cannot be built in a day or two. There are currently such test sites on the earth. The internal design is more complex, including land, crops, microorganisms, etc., and volunteers are also recruited to live in a closed life. However, although the preparations seem to be complete, they are easy to fail and take a little longer. , the internal plants will lose production and the experiment will have to be stopped.

There are several simulation experiments aimed at Mars immigration. The longest one lasted two to three hundred days. However, in future space bases, food will need to be obtained in this way when necessary. One year The time is still too short. The micro-ecosystem of Chang'e-4 is much simplified this time, and it may not last too long.