On Sunday, China Chang’e-6 lunar probe achieved a significant milestone by successfully landing on the far side of the Moon, state media reported. This mission marks the latest advancement in China’s ambitious space program, which has been expanding its capabilities over the past few decades.
The Chang’e-6 probe touched down in the South Pole-Aitken Basin, one of the largest known impact craters in the solar system. This landing site is significant as it is a rarely explored area of the Moon, offering a unique opportunity to collect samples and conduct experiments that could provide new insights into the Moon’s history and composition.
Mission Details
The 53-day mission of Chang’e-6 began on May 3. On Sunday, the probe descended from an orbit approximately 200 kilometers (124 miles) above the Moon’s surface to select a suitable landing site. Huang Wu, an official from the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, explained that this phase required precise control to ensure the probe followed its preset trajectory and safely reduced its speed to zero within 15 minutes. This maneuver consumed a significant amount of propellant, nearly half of the probe’s weight.
Sample Collection and Experiments
Following its successful landing, the probe will collect lunar soil and rock samples using two methods: drilling beneath the surface and using a robotic arm to gather specimens from the surface. This collection process is expected to be completed within two days. After collecting the samples, the probe will attempt a challenging launch from the Moon’s far side, a feat that has not been previously accomplished.
The far side of the Moon, often referred to as the “dark side” because it is not visible from Earth, holds great potential for scientific research. Its craters are less obscured by ancient lava flows compared to the near side, which may provide better-preserved material that can shed light on the Moon’s formation and evolution.
China’s Expanding Space Ambitions
Under President Xi Jinping, China has significantly accelerated its space program, aiming to close the gap with established space powers like the United States and Russia. Notable achievements include:
•Building the Tiangong Space Station: China’s space station, named “heavenly palace,” represents a major milestone in their space capabilities.
•Lunar and Mars Missions: China has successfully landed robotic rovers on both the Moon and Mars.
•Human Spaceflight: China is the third country to independently put humans into orbit.
China’s long-term space goals include sending a crewed mission to the Moon by 2030 and establishing a lunar base. However, these ambitions have raised concerns, particularly from the United States, about potential military objectives and the desire to assert dominance in space.
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