The portable 3D scanner market is on the brink of significant expansion. With ongoing technological advancements and the integration of 3D scanning in various sectors, this market is poised to grow rapidly over the next decade. This article delves into the factors contributing to this growth, the projected rates across different regions, and the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
An iLT (Integrated Laser Tracker) is a portable 3D measurement device from API Metrology, specifically engineered for high performance, superior accuracy, and maximum flexibility right on the factory floor. This device represents the pinnacle of refinement in laser tracking technology, offering the most mobile and user-friendly measurement capabilities.
Renishaw, a world leader in metrology and manufacturing systems, has expanded its AGILITY® range of coordinate measuring machines (CMMs). The AGILITY range is designed and built for speed and accuracy, reinforcing Renishaw’s reputation for innovation in the most demanding industries. It is optimised for Renishaw’s REVO® 5-axis multi-sensor system, bringing new possibilities to the shop floor.
A reactor that China is cooperating with Russia to build on the Moon will provide power for a settlement at the south pole in 2035.
Simulation of astronauts operating on the Moon. Photo: CNSA
China is considering building a nuclear power plant on the Moon to power the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS), a project being developed in cooperation with Russia. The plan was shared by Pei Zhaoyu, chief engineer of the Chang'e 8 mission, during a press briefing on April 23, according to Interesting Engineering.
The Chang'e 8 mission, scheduled for launch in 2028, is a key step in China's space ambitions, helping to prepare for a permanent settlement by 2030 and to explore methods of energy production on the Moon. Although nuclear power is a compelling option, Pei shared that authorities are also discussing other alternatives for the ILRS space station.
Energy is one of the biggest challenges for the ILRS station, according to Wu Weiren, chief designer of China's lunar exploration program. The ILRS will need a reliable, long-term power source to overcome the harsh conditions on the Moon. Russia's expertise in space nuclear technology will play a crucial role in the plan. In 2024, the Russian space agency Roscosmos also revealed that they aim to build a reactor on the Moon with China by 2035. This collaboration will provide the ILRS with a continuous power source and enable long-term lunar exploration missions.
China's space program has developed rapidly over the past 20 years. After becoming the third country to send a person into space in 2003 with the Shenzhou 5 mission, China landed the Chang'e 3 rover on the Moon a decade later. China was the second country to land a rover on Mars and aims to send humans to the red planet in 2033.
If the nuclear power plant on the Moon is successfully built, China could change the future of space exploration, unlocking the potential for large-scale energy production and cargo transportation. According to the Royal Museums Greenwich, the Moon contains valuable deposits of metal oxides, titanium, rare earths, and aluminum. Notably, the rare isotope helium-3 could solve humanity's energy needs for about 10,000 years.
An Khang (According to Interesting Engineering)
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