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China takes aim at the Moon with long-term cabin trial
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-39880165China takes aim at the Moon with long-term cabin trial
11 May 2017
From the section China
China is taking another step in its space exploration programme, starting a trial scenario for a permanent Moon station. Science students have moved into a cabin to simulate life in a lunar-like environment for up to 200 days. The goal is to prepare for a long-term space mission with no input from the outside world.
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Four postgraduate students from the astronautics university of Beihang on Wednesday moved into the cabin, ambitiously called the Yuegong-1, or Lunar Palace in English. They will stay in the cabin for 60 days, followed by another group who will stay for 200 days. The first four will then return for yet another 105 days.
According to state news agency Xinhua, one of the main elements of the experiment is to explore is how a space mission could be entirely self-contained over a long period of time. Human waste will undergo a bio-fermentation process, and crops and vegetables are to be grown with the help of food and waste by-products.
The model Moon station has two plant cultivation modules and a living cabin housing four bed cubicles, one common room, a bathroom, a waste treatment room and a room for raising animals.
While the experiments aboard the Lunar Palace are aimed at preparing lunar explorers for long stays on the moon, China does not plan to land its first astronauts there for at least another 10 years.
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