🌘 Where Will the First Chinese Bootprint on the Moon Be?

This question guides China's preparations, which aims to send its taikonauts to our satellite before the end of the decade.

A team of Chinese scientists has analyzed the Rimae Bode region, located on the near side of the Moon. Their results, published in the journal Nature Astronomy, show that one sector combines conditions favorable for a safe landing with major scientific interest. It is thus among a shortlist of potential sites, selected for their relatively smooth terrain and ideal position for communications with Earth.


The Rimae Bode region reveals multiple geology, composed of volcanic plains, grooves carved by ancient lava flows, and debris from nearby craters. This diversity would offer explorers the possibility of collecting different types of material in a single location. The researchers have defined four precise landing points within this perimeter, each with slightly distinct sampling objectives.

One of the major assets of this site lies in its ability to provide clues about the Moon's deep internal layers. The dark deposits of volcanic ash and tiny glass beads, ejected billions of years ago, serve as direct witnesses to the lunar mantle. Their examination could help trace the timeline of past eruptions and understand the cooling mechanisms of terrestrial planets, like our Earth, after their birth.

To carry out this future mission, the taikonauts are already undergoing advanced geological training. They are learning, among other things, how to distinguish ordinary rocks from specimens of high scientific value, such as these minute volcanic glass beads. This meticulous preparation is necessary to identify relevant clues, correctly install instruments, and move safely on sometimes chaotic ground.

The next phases include the planned launch of a lunar remote sensing satellite to improve data accuracy, as well as tests of the new Mengzhou spacecraft. When the taikonauts set foot on the lunar soil, their mission will go beyond exploration; they will take on the role of space investigators, attempting to unravel the geological questions that still surround our satellite.