China sends rare ‘Moon dust’ to UK for research

In a landmark moment for international space collaboration, the United Kingdom has received a vial of lunar dust from China, marking the first time in nearly half a century that Britain has obtained Moon samples.

“More Precious Than Gold…”

The 60-milligram sample, collected by China’s Chang’e 5 mission in 2020, is now housed at the Open University in Milton Keynes under the supervision of Professor Mahesh Anand.

Describing the sample as “more precious than gold dust,” Professor Anand emphasized the significance of this acquisition.

“Nobody in the world had access to China’s samples,” he noted, highlighting the exclusivity of the material.

The UK is among a select group of seven international research teams granted access to these rare lunar materials, signaling a new era of scientific cooperation between China and the global community.

Background

The Chang’e 5 mission successfully drilled two kilograms of lunar soil from Mons Rümker, a volcanic plateau on the Moon, and returned it to Earth in December 2020. This mission marked the first retrieval of lunar samples since the Soviet Union’s Luna 24 mission in 1976.

Precautions and Measures

At the Open University, strong safeguards are in place to prevent sample contamination. Protective gowns, gloves, and hoods are worn by technicians; they also use sticky mats to clean their shoes, therefore maintaining the lunar dust’s perfect condition.

At temperatures approaching 1,400°C, the dust is vaporized and elements including carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, and noble gases are detected using lasers. These investigations seek to clarify the genesis of the Moon and, so, the early history of Earth.

The study team has one year to complete its studies; following which the sample will be returned. Professor Anand expressed hope that this project would open the path for ongoing worldwide cooperation in lunar research, even though it is possible the sample could be consumed during testing.