The Chang’e 6 mission has raised a special national flag on the Moon, developed by Chinese scientists using inorganic basalt fibers. This flag is unique as it is the first national flag in the world to be raised on the far side of the Moon, and it is built to withstand harsh conditions such as extreme temperature fluctuations, vacuum environments, and strong ultraviolet radiation.
Basalt fiber was jointly developed by Wuhan University of Textiles and Sanjiang China Aerospace Corporation, with Xu Weilin, a scholar at the Chinese Academy of Engineering and president of Wuhan University of Textiles, leading the project. Basalt fiber is known for its insulation and radiation-resistant properties, making it ideal for withstanding the harsh lunar environment. However, spinning and weaving smooth and brittle basalt fibers proved challenging.
The flag measures 30 cm x 20 cm, the same size as the Chang’e 5 mission flag. Despite being slightly heavier due to a denser basalt fiber used, it weighs just 11.3 grams, lighter than the Chang’e 5 flag. The team developed an ultra-thin basalt fiber with a diameter just 1/3 the size of a human hair. Basalt fibers have many applications in aerospace due to their lightweight and flexibility, such as in spacesuits, spacecraft, and lunar bases.
The development of basalt fiber technology opens up market opportunities for various applications in protective gear due to its fireproof and insulating properties. Fireproof suits made from basalt fibers can withstand much higher temperatures than traditional organic materials
