Chinese Probe Gets the Lead Out

Yesterday afternoon, Premier Wen Jiabao unveiled pictures of the moon taken by the Chang’e 1 lunar probe. The images were revealed at a ceremony held at the Beijing Aerospace Control Center and marked an important step in the country’s budding space program. China, along with the United States and Russia, is one of the few countries to have put a man in orbit (AP, 2007).

Last month, the probe departed China aboard a Long March 3A rocket and will be surveying the moon in preparation for a tentative lunar landing in 2012 and a later sample collecting mission in 2020. The Chinese National Space Administration (CNSA) hopes to have the entire surface of the moon mapped out sometime early next year (AP, 2007).

When questioned about future lunar endeavors, CNSA director Sun Laiyan responded, “For the time being we have no plans to send any Chinese onto the moon.” Laiyan later added, “So please do not put even more pressure on our shoulders. But having said that, I'm confident that one day China will send its taikonaut [a Chinese astronaut] on the moon and I hope to see that day." (AP, 2007).

Despite growing competition in the Asian space exploration market, Laiyan made an effort to point out that the CNSA has an open program that is willing to adhere to international practices. Officials also emphasized that, although lunar research is a focal point of their space program, Beijing also has a sincere interest in contributing to the global community (AP, 2007).

The CNSA is looking forward to the opportunity of assisting other countries with the development and construction of the international space station (AP, 2007). When asked what specific role China would play in the project one official responded, “We are currently gearing our research towards the development of innovative chemical compounds that, when applied to various structural surfaces, will help protect space vehicles from the harsh conditions that typically present themselves while in orbit around the earth.”

“Exiting the earth’s atmosphere is obviously a dangerous business and, while many efforts have been made to shield spacecraft, and those piloting them, we believe there are even better ways to protect such valued assets,” Laiyan added during further questioning.

However, the project to develop a better aerospace vehicle finish has not proceeded without criticism and complications. International officials have constantly hounded the Chinese space program concerning their alleged use of lead-based chemicals in the production of their new “space paints”.

One scientist was visibly flustered when responding to accusations that the space agency was cutting corners in order to meet strict deadlines imposed by the military, “Do you honestly believe that we would use lead paint on a space vehicle? That makes absolutely zero sense and I’m shocked that so many people have even bought into the concept. It’s common knowledge in China that we strictly reserve the use of lead paint for only very specific applications. Chief among these is the production of goods for infants and toddlers, such as toys and eating utensils. Lead is an obvious choice because it’s cheap and it taste like chocolate. Everybody knows how much kids love chocolate!”

Premier Jiabao concluded the ceremony by adding, “Please understand we have a vested interest in the space program here at Beijing. Something as trivial as children, especially those in other countries, digesting harmful amounts of lead should not overshadow what our real goal is here. We are constantly pushing forward to develop and apply new technologies that will one day benefit all mankind.”

References:

Associated Press. (2007, Nov 27). China probe captures lunar image. Retrieved November 27, 2007, from CNN.com Web site: http://www.cnn.com/2007/TECH/space/11/27/china.space.probe.ap/index.html