BEIJING — China has achieved a historic milestone with the successful launch of the Chang’e-6 mission. This ambitious endeavor aims to collect the first-ever samples from the lunar far side, providing invaluable insights into the Moon’s geological history and the early solar system.
Mission Overview:
- Launch Date: May 3, 2024
- Launch Vehicle: Long March 5 rocket
- Objective: Retrieve soil and rock samples from the Moon’s far side
- Duration: A 53-day odyssey
- Significance: China’s most complex and challenging Moon mission to date
The Lunar Far Side: A Mystery Unveiled: The far side of the Moon, perpetually hidden from Earth due to tidal locking, differs significantly from its near side. While the near side experienced extensive volcanic activity, the far side remained relatively quiet under a thick, heavily cratered crust. The Chang’e-6 mission aims to unlock the secrets of this enigmatic region.
Mission Components:
- Queqiao-2 Satellite: Launched in March, this communications satellite orbits the Moon and relays signals between Chang’e-6 and Earth.
- Landing Site: The spacecraft will touch down in one of three pre-selected areas within the South Pole–Aitken basin, the Moon’s largest and oldest impact basin.
- Sample Collection: The lander will drill and scoop up approximately two kilograms of soil and rocks.
- Ascender: After collecting samples, the ascender will blast off from the lander and transfer them back to the orbiter for the journey home.
International Collaboration: Chang’e-6 carries payloads from France, Sweden, Italy, and a Pakistani cubesat. These international contributions enhance the scientific value of the mission.
The Mystery Rover: While details about the rover remain scarce, the Shanghai Institute of Ceramics (SIC) suggests that it carries an infrared imaging spectrometer. Its role will be crucial in analyzing the lunar surface.
Scientific Bonanza Ahead: Astrophysicist Quentin Parker of the University of Hong Kong praises China’s accomplishments in space exploration. If all goes according to plan, scientists will examine the first rocks from the Moon’s far side by late June. The samples retrieved by Chang’e-6 are poised to be a “treasure chest” of information about our celestial neighbor.
Since the launch of the moon mission on May 3rd, the China National Space Administration (CNSA) has not updated the public on the progress of the challenging moon mission. Not only China is waiting to learn more… (zai)