Chinese scientists have successfully developed a special national flag that was raised on the Moon by the lander of the Chang’e 6 mission. The flag is made from inorganic basalt fibers, making it ideal for insulating and resisting radiation, all while being incredibly thin, measuring only 1/3 the thickness of a human hair.
The basalt fiber used to create the flag was jointly developed by Wuhan University of Textiles and Sanjiang China Aerospace Corporation. Xu Weilin, a scholar at the Chinese Academy of Engineering and president of Wuhan University of Textiles, along with his colleagues, overcame challenges in developing high-quality “stone version” of the national fabric flag. Basalt fiber is known for its insulation and radiation-resistant properties, making it ideal for withstanding harsh lunar conditions. However, spinning and weaving smooth surface brittle fiber made this task challenging.
The flag measures 30 cm x 20 cm and utilizes a denser basalt fiber that makes it slightly heavier than the Chang’e 5 mission flag. Despite this, the team was able to develop an ultra-thin basalt fiber with a diameter just 1/3 the size of a human hair, resulting in a final weight of only 11.3 grams – lighter than the Chang’e 5 flag. Basalt fibers have wide applications in aerospace due to their lightweight and flexibility such as in spacesuits, spacecrafts and lunar bases.
In addition to its use as a national flag on Mars, basalt fiber also has potential applications in fireproof suits and protective gear due to its fireproof and insulating properties. Fireproof suits made from basalt fibers can withstand much higher temperatures than traditional organic materials, making them ideal for firefighting. The cost-effectiveness of basalt fibers also opens up market opportunities for various applications in protective gear and related products.
The development of basalt fiber technology has significant implications for future aerospace endeavors creating opportunities for innovation
