Lunar rock investigation and tri-aspect characterization of lunar farside regolith by a digital twin

Liang Ding (), Ruyi Zhou, Tianyi Yu, Huaiguang Yang, Ximing He, Haibo Gao (), Juntao Wang, Ye Yuan, Jia Wang, Zhengyin Wang, Huanan Qi, Jian Li (), Wenhao Feng, Xin Li, Chuankai Liu, Shaojin Han, Xiaojia Zeng, Yu-Yan Sara Zhao, Guangjun Liu, Wenhui Wan, Yuedong Zhang, Saijin Wang, Lichun Li, Zongquan Deng, Jianzhong Liu (), Guolin Hu, Rui Zhao and Kuan Zhang
Additional contact information
Liang Ding: Harbin Institute of Technology
Ruyi Zhou: Harbin Institute of Technology
Tianyi Yu: Beijing Aerospace Control Center
Huaiguang Yang: Harbin Institute of Technology
Ximing He: Beijing Aerospace Control Center
Haibo Gao: Harbin Institute of Technology
Juntao Wang: Chinese Academy of Science
Ye Yuan: Harbin Institute of Technology
Jia Wang: Beijing Aerospace Control Center
Zhengyin Wang: Harbin Institute of Technology
Huanan Qi: Harbin Institute of Technology
Jian Li: Beijing Aerospace Control Center
Wenhao Feng: Harbin Institute of Technology
Xin Li: Beijing Aerospace Control Center
Chuankai Liu: Beijing Aerospace Control Center
Shaojin Han: Beijing Aerospace Control Center
Xiaojia Zeng: Chinese Academy of Science
Yu-Yan Sara Zhao: Chengdu University of Technology
Guangjun Liu: Ryerson University
Wenhui Wan: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Yuedong Zhang: Beijing Aerospace Control Center
Saijin Wang: Beijing Aerospace Control Center
Lichun Li: Beijing Aerospace Control Center
Zongquan Deng: Harbin Institute of Technology
Jianzhong Liu: Chinese Academy of Science
Guolin Hu: Beijing Aerospace Control Center
Rui Zhao: Beijing Aerospace Control Center
Kuan Zhang: Beijing Aerospace Control Center

Nature Communications, 2024, vol. 15, issue 1, 1-15

Abstract: Abstract Yutu-2 rover conducted an exciting expedition on the 41st lunar day to investigate a fin-shaped rock at Longji site (45.44°S, 177.56°E) by extending its locomotion margin on perilous peaks. The varied locomotion encountered, especially multi-form wheel slippage, during the journey to the target rock, established unique conditions for a fin-grained lunar regolith analysis regarding bearing, shear and lateral properties based on terramechanics. Here, we show a tri-aspect characterization of lunar regolith and infer the rock’s origin using a digital twin. We estimate internal friction angle within 21.5°−42.0° and associated cohesion of 520-3154 Pa in the Chang’E-4 operational site. These findings suggest shear characteristics similar to Apollo 12 mission samples but notably higher cohesion compared to regolith investigated on most nearside lunar missions. We estimate external friction angle in lateral properties to be within 8.3°−16.5°, which fills the gaps of the lateral property estimation of the lunar farside regolith and serves as a foundational parameter for subsequent engineering verifications. Our in-situ spectral investigations of the target rock unveil its composition of iron/magnesium-rich low-calcium pyroxene, linking it to the Zhinyu crater (45.34°S, 176.15°E) ejecta. Our results indicate that the combination of in-situ measurements with robotics technology in planetary exploration reveal the possibility of additional source regions contributing to the local materials at the Chang’E-4 site, implying a more complicated geological history in the vicinity.

Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46233-8

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