This photo provided by the China National Space Administration (CNSA) shows Chang'e-5 probe gathering samples on the moon on Dec. 2, 2020. (CNSA/HANDOUT VIA XINHUA)

HONG KONG - The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) announced on Tuesday that in support of China's first lunar sample return mission, their research team developed and manufactured one of the key systems for the mission, which helped to accomplish the tasks of automatic sample collection and packaging on the lunar surface following the soft landing of Chang'e-5 probe on Dec. 1.

Chang'e-5 is the world's first lunar-sample return mission in more than 40 years, aiming to bring back a large amount of lunar samples of up to two kg via robotic means. The probe adopts two methods of moon surface sampling, one uses a robotic arm for multiple-point surface sample collections, and the other is to drill underground.

The PolyU-developed system, the "Surface Sampling and Packing System", was developed in collaboration with the China Academy of Space Technology

The PolyU-developed system, the "Surface Sampling and Packing System", was developed in collaboration with the China Academy of Space Technology. A team led by Prof. Yung Kai-leung, chair professor of Precision Engineering and associate head of Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering of PolyU, was tasked in 2011 to develop the system for lunar surface sampling, packaging and sealing.

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Consisting of two samplers for collecting loose and sticky forms of lunar regolith, two near-field cameras, as well as a packaging and sealing system, the "Surface Sampling and Packing System" has more than 400 components constructed in different materials which make the instruments light in weight but at the same time durable and strong enough to withstand the harsh space environment.

"As our system needed to operate on the sun-facing side of the moon where the ground temperatures could be as high as 110 degree Celsius, this innovation had to be highly sophisticated and capable of functioning under extremely high temperatures," Yung said.

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Yung was grateful that the country has granted polyU's research team the task of developing this key device, which has encouraged Hong Kong researchers to integrate into the country's development.