.png){kind=logo}
Helsinki — In a remarkable achievement for lunar exploration, China’s Chang’e-6 mission lander made a successful soft landing on the far side of the moon late Saturday, aiming to collect unique and invaluable lunar samples. The landing occurred at 6:23 p.m. Eastern on June 1 (2223 UTC), as announced by the China National Space Administration (CNSA).
Key Highlights:
1. Strategic Landing Site:The Chang’e-6 lander targeted the southern portion of the Apollo crater within the South Pole-Aitken (SPA) Basin on the lunar far side.
2. Advanced Landing Technology:The mission utilized a 7,500-newton-thrust engine for descent and precise landing.
3. Sample Collection and Analysis:The lander is equipped to collect up to 2,000 grams of lunar samples, both from the surface and subsurface, using a scoop and a drill.
Chang’e-6 is China's fourth successful lunar landing and the second on the far side of the moon. It follows the successful landings of Japan’s SLIM in January and Intuitive Machines’ IM-1 Odysseus in February 2024. This mission marks another critical step in China’s ambitious lunar exploration program.
Following the successful landing, initial system checks will be conducted. Within 48 hours, the ascent vehicle is expected to launch from the lander, carrying the collected samples into lunar orbit. The samples will be transferred to the waiting Chang’e-6 orbiter and eventually sent back to Earth, targeting a landing in Inner Mongolia around June 25.
The Chang’e-6 mission also includes international payloads from Sweden, France, and Italy, aimed at conducting various scientific studies. A small rover is expected to be deployed for short-term operations on the lunar surface.
China’s lunar program will continue with Chang’e-7 in 2026 and Chang’e-8 around 2028, with the ultimate goal of launching a crewed lunar mission by 2030. These missions are part of the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) program, which seeks to establish a permanent lunar base in the 2030s with international cooperation.
The success of the Chang’e-6 mission is a significant milestone in lunar exploration, promising to yield critical scientific data and paving the way for future lunar endeavors.
Credits: https://spacenews.com/change-6-lands-on-far-side-of-the-moon-to-collect-unique-lunar-samples/
Commentaires