From June 25 to July 2, the 68th session of the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) was held in Vienna, Austria.
Prof. Xu Yi from the National Key Laboratory of Lunar and Planetary Sciences at the Macau University of Science and Technology (MUST) attended the meeting as the first member of the Chinese delegation from the Macao Special Administrative Region, actively participating in discussions on topics such as space and water, and space and sustainable development.
The Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space was established in accordance with United Nations General Assembly Resolution 1472, adopted in 1959, aimed at formulating principles and regulations for the peaceful use of outer space, promoting international cooperation in the field, and addressing technological and legal issues related to the exploration and utilisation of outer space.
During the meeting, an event hosted by China, titled “One Humanity, Infinite Frontiers,” made a remarkable appearance at the United Nations headquarters in Vienna, generating a strong response. The side event focused on the achievements of the “China Lunar Exploration Project over 20 Years,” showcasing for the first time the precious samples collected from the front and back of the Moon during the Chang’e 5 and Chang’e 6 missions.
Prof. Xu Yi, as a guest speaker, shared the research journey of the National Key Laboratory, highlighting its active participation in the Chang’e lunar exploration programme with the support of the China National Space Administration. Researchers from the laboratory have served as chief scientists for various scientific payloads on the Chang’e missions, achieving a series of high-level research outcomes based on lunar exploration data, discovering new lunar minerals through sample analysis, and conducting in-depth studies of the weathering environment on the Moon’s near and far sides. In recent years, the laboratory has also collaborated with research institutions from the UK, Germany, Italy, and other countries on scientific research related to Chang’e data.
The participation of Macau scholars in the United Nations Outer Space Committee meeting reflects the central government’s support for the technological development of the Macao Special Administrative Region and showcases the successful implementation of “One Country, Two Systems” in Macau. Prof. Xu Yi stated that the National Key Laboratory will continue to actively contribute to China’s deep space exploration efforts and enhance the contribution of Macau to the nation’s technological development.
The National Key Laboratory of Lunar and Planetary Sciences (Macau University of Science and Technology) was officially established in 2018 with the approval of the Ministry of Science and Technology. It is the only national key laboratory in China focused on astronomy and planetary science. The establishment of the laboratory is an important measure in the country’s efforts to advance deep space exploration, promote technological innovation in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), and elevate the technological level in Macau. The laboratory currently has over 40 experts and scholars, with a research team of more than 200 people.
N.B. Text and photos courtesy of MUST. Translation arranged and edited by The Macau Post Daily.
