China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is shooting for the moon – literally! The city just announced plans to launch its first lunar orbiter, Yueshan (月闪), in 2028 to study meteoroid threats – a critical step in safeguarding future lunar bases. 🌠
Why Moon Flashes Matter
Unlike Earth, the moon has no atmosphere to burn up space rocks. Meteoroids hit at extreme speeds, creating bright flashes that could endanger astronauts and equipment. Yueshan will be humanity's first dedicated 'lunar security camera,' monitoring these impacts 24/7.
Hong Kong's Cosmic Ambitions
This mission turbocharges Hong Kong's role in China's space program. "No one's built tech like this before," says space researcher Su Meng. The city also plans to contribute to upcoming Chang'e-8 moon missions and Tianwen-3 Mars sampling – plus train its first astronaut! 🧑🚀
More Than Just Rocks
This isn't just about dodging space debris. The data could help scientists pick safer locations for permanent lunar habitats – crucial as China aims to establish a research base by the 2030s. Talk about future-proofing! 🔭
