Robot with charging features to support China's 2028 Lunar program

Robot with charging features to support China’s 2028 Lunar program

Robot with charging features to support China’s 2028 Lunar program

by Simon Mansfield

Sydney, Australia (SPX) Dec 27, 2024

Chinese researchers are developing a sophisticated lunar robot with integrated charging capabilities, slated to join the Chang’e 8 mission, planned for launch in 2028.

A collaboration between Dalian University of Technology, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, and Shenzhen University has led to the creation of a versatile lunar surface robot that will function both as a research tool and a mobile charging station.

The China National Space Administration has officially approved the robot’s inclusion in the Chang’e 8 mission, according to a recent announcement from Dalian University of Technology.

Weighing approximately 100 kilograms, the robot is designed to operate in the challenging conditions of the lunar surface, where it will conduct detailed experiments and monitor the lunar lander’s functionality. “It can accompany the lunar lander and monitor its operational health,” explained Yu Xiaozhou, project leader at Dalian University of Technology.

The research team is addressing significant technical hurdles to ensure the robot’s success. Yu Hongyu, a professor at Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, emphasized the challenges of operating in the lunar south pole’s extreme cold, achieving precise positioning, and enabling autonomous movement without satellite navigation systems.

The Chang’e 8 mission is part of China’s broader lunar exploration strategy. Together with Chang’e 7, it will form the foundation for a lunar research station. The Chang’e 7 probe, scheduled for launch in 2026, will focus on resource exploration in the moon’s south polar region.