A collaborative team of Chinese and French researchers has successfully completed a mission to measure the distribution of radon gas and polonium on the moon. Utilizing the French payload aboard China’s Chang’e-6 lunar probe, the mission marks a significant milestone in lunar exploration, according to the Institute of Geology and Geophysics (IGG) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
The French payload, named Detection of Outgassing RadoN (DORN), is designed to measure radon gas and its decay products on the lunar surface, as well as charged particles in the space environment. Its capabilities enable scientists to delve deeper into understanding the moon’s atmosphere and surface properties.
The scientific objectives of DORN include studying the origin and dynamics of the lunar atmosphere, analyzing the thermal and physical properties of lunar soil, and investigating the movement of lunar surface dust. These studies are crucial for future lunar missions and may provide insights into the moon’s evolution.
He Huaiyu, co-chief scientist of DORN from the IGG, noted that the payload equipment had been exposed to Earth’s atmosphere for several months prior to launch. This presented unique challenges but also opportunities to measure background noise levels.
DORN was first activated on May 6 during the lunar-orbit cruise period, approximately 320,000 kilometers from Earth. It operated for about 10 hours, successfully measuring the background noise of the space environment and natural radiation on the lunar surface. These initial measurements are instrumental in establishing baselines for future observations.
This successful collaboration between Chinese and French scientists exemplifies international cooperation in space exploration. The data gathered from this mission is expected to contribute significantly to the global understanding of lunar science and may pave the way for more joint efforts in the future.
