The Camera Pointing System of China's Lunar Missions

Lead  Prof. YUNG Kai Leung

Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering | Research Centre for Deep Space Explorations | Industrial Centre

Leveraging the University’s research and engineering capabilities, PolyU has been dedicated to supporting the lunar exploration programme of the China National Space Administration (CNSA).

For Chang’e-3 (嫦娥三號) mission in 2013 and Chang’e-4 (嫦娥四號) mission in 2019, Prof. Yung Kai Leung and his team worked closely with the China Academy of Space Technology (CAST), and successfully developed a camera pointing system (CPS) through innovative design and high-precision fabrication.

The CPS was installed atop the lunar landers to support the rover tracking and capturing of panoramic image of the lunar landing—the world’s first‑ever glimpses of an uncharted region. It operated smoothly under exposure to high‑density radiation and extreme temperatures, and continued working well beyond its life expectancy on the near and far sides of the Moon.

The CPS is the first instrument developed in Hong Kong to have reached the surface of the Moon, on the front and far sides. It is also the only instrument built in Hong Kong that continues to be active on both the front side and far side of the Moon. Building on its success, it has sparked more than HK$60M in funding from industries to support further technology transfer.

PolyU’s contributions have been acknowledged by the CNSA and the CAST, with continued collaboration on the Nation’s space missions.

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