Lunar soil found by China's lunar rover shows great cohesion: Scientists

(ECNS) -- The latest research results found by the Yutu-2 lunar rover indicates that the regolith of the lunar soil resembles dry sand and sandy loam on Earth in bearing properties, demonstrating greater bearing strength than that identified during the Apollo missions.

During Yutu-2's journey, cloddy soil sticking to its wheels implied a greater cohesion of the lunar soil than encountered at other lunar landing sites.

Experience gained with the rover improves the understanding of the farside of the Moon, which, in return, may lead to locomotion with improved efficiency and larger range.

The research paper "A 2-year locomotive exploration and scientific investigation of the lunar farside by the Yutu-2 rover", co-authored by scientists at home and abroad, was published in Science Robotics.

The Chang'e-4 probe and the rover landed on the Von Karman crater on Jan. 3, 2019.