Has China used to launch mysterious space objects into space (with military purposes, no doubt)? On March 4, 2022, an object initially identified as a SpaceX Falcon 9 booster that left orbit in 2015, crashed into the Moon. After investigation, it was found that the object in question was actually a thruster from the Chinese lunar mission Changyi 5-T1It was launched in 2014. Researchers from the University of Arizona followed this object for several years and were able to determine its origin based on analysis of its path and light reflection.
The two craters are clearly visible in this image taken by NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO).
To say the least, the results obtained by these researchers are surprising: the fall of Chang'e 5-T1 on the Moon would have resulted in not one crater, but two of the same size, which greatly aroused the interest of scientists. The latter now believe that these two craters could logically indicate the presence of a mysterious charge attached to the front of the thruster, a charge that would have maintained stability in orbit despite its asymmetric structure. The hypothesis of any debris has been ruled out, as the similar size of the two craters clearly indicates the presence of a large object.
Clearly, analysis of craters and debris ejected during the impact could provide clues about the nature of this mysterious charge, but the technological means to conduct this investigation have yet to be determined. In any case, these first conclusions underscore the importance of greater transparency in space missions, even if we are not supposed to be naive: great space powers, which are also generally great military powers, have more space projects or fewer secrets related to espionage. certain countries, the destruction of other satellites, etc., and it is difficult to see these secrets revealed in broad daylight “for the sake of transparency.”
