From the "Shenzhou" series spacecraft to the "Chang'e" lunar exploration project, China's space technology is gradually moving from "following" to "running parallel", and even achieving "leading" in certain fields. Last weekend, Wang Chi, an academician of the CAS Member and director of the National Space Science Center of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, said in an exclusive interview during the 6th China Geodesy and Geophysics Conference (CCGG) held in Fudan University that China's space science development will enter the fast lane during the "15th Five Year Plan" period. At that time, China's space science field will organize and implement a series of scientific plans, including the Space Exploration Project, which mainly includes flagship satellite missions such as the "Hongmeng Plan", "Kuafu II", extragalactic Earth surveys, and the Enhanced X-ray Time Varying and Polarization Space Observatory. The international major science project initiated by our country, the International Meridian Circle Major Science Program, will also be further promoted. The development of space science not only plays a leading and promoting role in the development of many scientific fields, but also inspires more and more young people to devote themselves to scientific research. Exploring the origins of the universe, celestial bodies, and life, searching for another Earth in the universe, is the greatest curiosity of humanity and the scientific question that humans crave to explore deep within their hearts. ”Wang Chi said. A series of space exploration projects will be implemented one after another. On November 24th last year, the National Space Science Center introduced some space science projects that will be implemented during the 15th Five Year Plan period at a press conference. Wang Chi stated in this interview that these space science tasks have been implemented one after another, and it is particularly noteworthy that China will implement four flagship scientific satellite projects. Specifically, the first project is the HarmonyOS plan, which will launch 10 satellites as a formation to fly to the far side of the moon. Utilizing the clean electromagnetic environment on the far side of the moon, a 100 kilometer radio telescope will be built in space to explore the information of the birth of the universe through ultra long waves, and listen to the first "cry" of the universe from darkness to dawn during its formation; The second project is the "Kuafu II", also known as the Solar Polar Orbiter, which will for the first time monitor the sun from a high vantage point in its polar regions, in order to better understand the origin of the solar magnetic activity cycle and high-speed solar wind; The third task is to launch ET satellites to explore exoplanets similar to Earth, hoping to find a second Earth; The fourth item is the Enhanced X-ray Time Varying and Polarization Space Observatory, which aims to understand the physical laws of dense celestial bodies such as black holes and neutron stars, as well as extreme cosmic conditions. The Space Exploration Project will focus on major cutting-edge issues such as the origin of the universe, the origin of space weather, and the origin of life, striving to achieve new breakthroughs in areas such as the dark ages of the universe, solar magnetic activity cycles, exoplanets, and extreme space exploration. ”Wang Chi told reporters. Wang Chi is also the chief scientist of the fourth phase of the lunar exploration project. In response to public concerns about lunar and deep space exploration, he revealed that Chang'e-7 will be launched this year with the goal of exploring the material and environment of the moon's south pole, especially directly certifying water ice in the permanent shadow area, and exploring the internal structure of the moon. During the "15th Five Year Plan" period, China will also launch the "Tianwen-3" mission, carry out the task of sampling and returning fire soil, and solve the major problem of whether there are traces of life on Mars. I hope that these achievements in space science can become a landmark contribution to building China into a technological powerhouse by 2035. ”Wang Chi also revealed in an interview that the International Meridian Circle Science Program, which he led last year, has made great progress, with more than 30 international research institutions and 20 international scientific organizations participating. After the implementation of this plan, multiple countries around the world will jointly organize a "sun never sets" system for all-weather observation of the sun, which can conduct "CT scans" and observations of the Earth's space environment around the clock, comprehensively improving scientists' observation and research of the sun and Earth's space environment. There are indeed more and more young people devoted to space science. Why should we vigorously develop space science? In an interview, Wang Chi mentioned that firstly, it is because humans have a natural curiosity to understand how the universe was born, where we come from, who we are, and where we are going - this is almost everyone's most genuine desire. In fact, the achievements of space science have indeed stimulated the enthusiasm of many young people for scientific exploration, which can be said to be the best carrier of science popularization. In recent years, more and more young people are willing to devote themselves to space science. In Wang Chi's view, the development of space science has indeed played a guiding role in the scientific development of other fields. In the past few decades, humans have gained an understanding of the natural laws of space, the characteristics of the universe, and the mechanisms of change and operation through the launch of satellites, space stations, lunar and deep space probes. Behind the development of space technology is the integrated development of basic research, technological capabilities, and engineering capabilities that promote each other. At the same time, space exploration and research have greatly expanded multiple disciplines. To illustrate this point, he gave some examples. In the past, scientists could only study some physical laws in laboratories. But after entering space, the experimental conditions of extremely strong magnetic fields, extremely strong gravity, high vacuum, and strong radiation are all conditions that cannot be simulated in Earth laboratories. The study of physical laws under extreme conditions greatly expands the boundaries of human cognition. For example, the verification of Einstein's theory of relativity and the conclusions of quantum science experiments verified on the ground, as well as whether they can still hold true in deep space and at spatial scales, have greatly enriched the human knowledge system. In addition, due to the obstruction of the atmosphere, many wavelengths on Earth cannot be observed, which is why many observatories are built in high-altitude areas. But even the highest mountain peak, Mount Everest, is only 8 kilometers high, while satellite orbits are at least a few hundred kilometers high. Many physical phenomena observed at this altitude cannot be observed by ground-based telescopes. Take the Hubble Telescope, which is most well-known to the public, as an example. It observed the continuous expansion of the universe in space and detected an age of approximately 13.8 billion years. These new discoveries have brought a revolutionary understanding of the universe to humanity. Improving space governance urgently requires global cooperation. Of course, the development of space technology brings not only benefits, but also new challenges to space governance with the rapid development of space activities. Wang Chi frankly stated that due to the frequent global satellite launches and the fact that there are still many rocket launch debris that have not been recovered, these have become difficulties in space governance. Just recently, a research paper claimed that due to the frequent launch of spacecraft by humans, the near Earth orbit is too crowded, and if we lose control of satellites, we may only have 2.8 days left to be trapped on the Earth's surface. Although this number is somewhat alarming, a study published in Scientific Reports last year pointed out that every year in busy airspace such as Northeast America or Northern Europe, space debris falling from the sky may even hit aircraft in flight, and this probability is still increasing. On the other hand, an increasing amount of space debris also poses a threat to spacecraft. On November 5th last year, when the crew of China's Shenzhou 20 spacecraft was preparing to return to Earth, they discovered a slight crack on the window glass of the return capsule and had to postpone the return. After there are too many ground vehicles, we need to plan the entire road network system. In space, satellites also encounter the same problem. So how should we manage space transportation? ”Wang Chi mentioned that there has long been a consensus internationally that after satellite missions end, they must be allowed to autonomously and slowly fall into the atmosphere for destruction. However, how to remove existing space debris, in addition to some sporadic plans that are already being implemented, requires countries around the world to work together to monitor and remove space debris. The first thing needed is for countries around the world to reach a consensus, which is also an important issue for the United Nations' peaceful use of space for sustainable development. ”Wang Chi said. (New Society)