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About

Zhang Gao is a leading aerospace engineer whose work has been instrumental in advancing China’s lunar exploration program, particularly in the areas of thermal control systems and robotic sample-return mission design. His most influential contribution is the design and implementation of the integrated thermal control system for the Chang’E-5 lunar module (2022, 24 citations), a critical technology that ensured the module’s operational integrity during extreme lunar temperature variations. Gao’s expertise extends to the Chang’e-6 mission, where he contributed to the technical design of the first-ever robotic sample return from the far side of the Moon (2025, 2 citations). In a notable 2025 study (1 citation), he developed a method for predicting surface sampling depth using contact indentation, leveraging data from the Chang’e-6 lander to determine lunar soil mechanical parameters. This work directly supported the mission’s successful collection of subsurface samples from the Apollo Crater edge. Gao’s research bridges fundamental thermal engineering and practical mission execution, with his systems playing a pivotal role in two landmark lunar missions. His achievements highlight his expertise in extreme-environment engineering and his significant impact on planetary exploration technology.