China is actively competing with the United States to land astronauts on the moon, with plans to achieve this milestone before the end of the decade. A new study identifies a prime landing location, characterizing the Rimae Bode region as a highly valuable area for lunar exploration.
Published Monday in Nature Astronomy, the research evaluates the Rimae Bode region, a volcanic area located on the near side of the moon, close to the lunar equator. This region is currently one of 14 candidate landing sites, selected from an initial pool of 106.
Jun Huang, a professor at the China University of Geosciences in Wuhan, describes the area as a unique intersection where the moon’s expansive volcanic plains meet its rugged highlands.
“Because it sits in this central, open location, it offers a direct line of sight to Earth for easy communication and receives plenty of sunlight,” Huang stated. These characteristics make the region ideal for a crewed landing, while also offering significant scientific advantages.
This potential landing site differs significantly from NASA’s current focus on the moon’s south pole, where water deposits are believed to exist in permanently shadowed craters. While China also has plans to investigate these areas, its primary goal is to achieve the first crewed lunar landing. To that end, the nation is adopting a strategy reminiscent of NASA’s Apollo program.
Mapping Rimae Bode
Huang and his team analyzed imagery and data collected from numerous lunar spacecraft to identify flat, suitable “parking spaces” within the Rimae Bode region. The team specifically sought well-lit locations with clear views of Earth and gentle slopes of less than 8 degrees.
The analysis pinpointed four prospective landing sites, each within a safe distance of approximately 8 kilometers from areas containing valuable lunar resources. These “treasures,” as Huang calls them, include ancient volcanic ash, crater remnants, and dark volcanic crystal deposits.
“This careful evaluation ensures that once on the lunar surface, astronauts can easily and safely access a diverse range of samples to assist unravel the mysteries of the moon’s deep history,” Huang explained.
Scientific Potential
Huang emphasized that the Chinese National Space Administration has not yet confirmed research objectives for its crewed lunar landing, and his team’s interest in Rimae Bode does not necessarily reflect the agency’s priorities. However, the study provides compelling evidence of the region’s scientific value.
“Rimae Bode is a treasure trove because it offers a glimpse into the moon’s internal and external history, all at once,” Huang said. For example, volcanic crystal deposits could provide a direct window into the moon’s deep interior, offering clues about the composition of its mantle, which are difficult to find elsewhere.
The region also features diverse geological characteristics, including ancient lava plains, channels formed by lava flows, and remnants from asteroid impacts. These resources will allow researchers to construct a timeline of the violent events that shaped the moon and the early solar system, according to Huang.
Astronauts landing in Rimae Bode could help the Chinese National Space Administration achieve several scientific objectives, the study indicates. These include studying the structure and composition of the moon’s interior, mapping the history of impacts in the early solar system, documenting the diversity of rocks in the lunar crust, and studying volatile materials near the poles.
Huang did not comment on the next steps his team will take to investigate the four sites and narrow down the most promising options, but indicated they plan to further study the Rimae Bode region. The Chinese space agencyalso intends to launch several missions to identify additional potential landing areas. One such mission is the Chang’e 7, a multi-spacecraft mission that will explore the moon’s south pole and investigate permanently shadowed craters – such as Shackleton Crater – that may contain water ice.
As China and the U.S. Compete to establish a presence on the moon and utilize its resources, studies like Huang’s highlight the fact that NASA faces a serious competitor. Once each nation selects its final landing site, the question remains: who will arrive first?
