China Unveils Lunar Radar Project to Map Geology, Aid Moon Missions

On March 5, 2025, Beijing hosted the kick-off meeting for the National Natural Science Foundation of China's major project, "Microwave Imaging Radar for Lunar Exploration and Geological Process Inversion". Led by Prof. WANG Yu from the Aerospace Information Research Institute under the Chinese Academy of Sciences (AIRCAS), this project is a pivotal initiative in China's deep space exploration efforts with the aim to advance lunar exploration through cutting-edge microwave imaging technology and geological analysis.

HU Yuxin, Deputy Director of AIRCAS, underscored the project's significance as the institute's first major endeavor in the field of deep space exploration, integrating microwave remote sensing with planetary science. AIRCAS expects that the milestone project will drive internationally groundbreaking research, strengthening support for China's ambitious lunar objectives, including manned moon landings and the development of the International Lunar Research Station.

During the meeting, the experts highlighted the project's potential to drive innovation in microwave remote sensing theory and lunar applications. While acknowledging considerable challenges—such as adapting microwave imaging systems under the Moon's extreme conditions—they stressed the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration among the research teams. It is crucial to identify technical challenges and evaluation metrics, focus on targeted efforts, and foster interdisciplinary integration and collaborative innovation between new theories and methods in lunar microwave imaging and planetary science.

This project addresses the urgent demand for high-precision microwave imaging in China's deep space exploration research. It focuses on pioneer solutions for microwave imaging under unique extraterrestrial conditions. By integrating studies of microwave characteristics of the lunar surface and the geological processes driven by internal and external forces, researchers will develop a unified “model-inversion-application”framework—a systematic approach linking data collection, geological analysis, and practical insights for mission planning.

Beyond technological breakthroughs, the project is poised to deepen our understanding of the Moon’s thermal evolution history, shedding light on its volcanic history and crustal dynamics. These scientific insights are expected to drive progress in planetary and information sciences, while also supporting China's future lunar missions, including manned lunar landings, the International Lunar Research Station, and other major national engineering and scientific applications.