China has achieved another significant milestone in space exploration with the successful landing of its Chang’e-6 Probe mission on the far side of the Moon. But did you know that Chang’e-6 is not the first Chinese spacecraft to land on the moon?
Before the Chang’e-6 probe, the Chinese had earlier launched the Chang’e-4, which landed on the moon’s far side in 2019, and the Chang’e-5, which returned lunar samples in 2020.
The Chang’e-6 probe was launched on May 3, 2024, with the aim of landing on the far side of the moon, specifically in the South Pole-Aitken Basin, and returning lunar samples to Earth. This Chang’e-6 is part of China’s ambitious lunar exploration program and marks a significant step in its space exploration efforts, though they are still focused on robotic missions rather than sending men to the moon.
The Chang’e-6 probe mission successfully touched down on the far side of the moon, specifically inside Apollo Crater, which is part of the giant South Pole-Aitken basin. This historic landing occurred at 6:23 a.m. Beijing time on June 2, 2024. Because landing on the moon’s far side presents unique challenges due to the lack of direct communication with Earth, the Queqiao-2 relay satellite was deployed to facilitate communication between the lander and mission control on Earth.
The Chang’e-6 probe will collect lunar samples from the far side of the moon. The mission plans to gather about 2 kilograms of material using both drilling and scooping techniques. The collected samples will then be transported back to Earth by the mission’s ascent vehicle, which will rendezvous with the orbiter before returning home.
The samples collected from the far side of the moon will provide new insights into the moon’s composition and geological history, potentially revealing information that was never known before.
In conclusion, China’s successful landing of the Chang’e-6 probe on the moon’s far side is a historic achievement that marks a significant step forward in moon exploration. As scientists eagerly await the return of the lunar samples, this mission paves the way for future explorations and highlights China’s role as an underrated player in space exploration.