Researchers from universities across China are using their rover models to explore the Moon and Mars.
A laboratory at Jilin University in northeast China is developing prototype vehicles that allow testing in a simulated lunar regolith and on the soil of Mars.
The cars tested come with a four-wheeled vehicle capable of traversing the comfortable Martian soil and negotiating obstacles over 7. 9 inches (20 centimeters) high.
“We are here to check the interaction between the small wheels and the lunar soil. Our goal is to make the rover go further and perform better on the surface of the Moon,” said Zhang Rui, a professor at the School of Biological and Agricultural Engineering. of Jilín. University, he told the state broadcaster China Central Television (CCTV).
Other scout robots tested come with six-wheeled models. The video also highlights a variety of other types of wheels. The key to a successful test lies in finding situations that mimic those discovered beyond Earth, the researchers said.
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“Lately we have been working on simulated Martian and lunar soils. Through research, we can provide a more powerful foundation for deep-area exploration,” said Li Xiujuan, a senior engineer at the College of Biological and Agricultural Engineering.
Although it is not clear whether any of the rovers shown will be assigned to a long-duration mission, knowledge about their functionality will most likely be included in studies that could inform the design of long-duration missions.
China is planning several Moon projects through the end of this decade and aims to build an International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) in the 2030s. The country is also planning a MarsArray return-to-sample project, which could include only a small rover, as it heads deeper into the solar system.
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Andrew is a freelance journalist who focuses on reporting on China’s fast-growing space sector. He began writing for Space. com in 2019 and writes for SpaceNews, IEEE Spectrum, National Geographic, Sky.
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