China Begins Returning World's First Samples from Moon's Far Side
China successfully launches ascender to retrieve lunar samples from the far side of the moon. Samples were collected utilising intelligent sampling techniques, including a robotic arm and drilling procedures. Chang'e-6 probe is outfitted with a variety of payloads for scientific exploration.
The China National Space Administration (CNSA) stated that the Chang'e-6 mission's ascender was successfully launched from the lunar surface. This is an important milestone in space research because it is the first time samples will be recovered from the far side of the moon.
The Chang'e-6 lunar probe, which was launched on May 3, arrived on the moon's surface on June 2. After spending 48 hours in the South Pole-Aitken Basin, the probe completed intelligent rapid sampling and stored the samples in devices carried by the ascender. The ascender then took off from the moon's surface and will dock with the orbiter-returner combo, eventually bringing the samples back to Earth.
Intelligent sampling played a crucial role in the success of the mission. Researchers at the ground laboratory used data sent back by the Queqiao-2 relay satellite to simulate the sampling area and process. This provided important support for making sampling decisions. The probe obtained lunar materials by surface sampling with a robotic arm and drilling techniques.
Deng Xiangjin of the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation hailed the mission as "extremely difficult, extremely honourable, and extremely challenging mission." The Chang'e-6 probe encountered unique hurdles, such as working on the moon's far side, which is always invisible to Earth. To assure the probe's normal operation, communications were delivered to Earth via the Queqiao-2 relay satellite.
The Chang'e-6 probe carries several payloads, including a descent camera, a panorama camera, a lunar soil structure detector, and a lunar mineral spectrometer. These tools have been critical in scientific exploration, allowing researchers to investigate lunar surface shape, mineral composition, and shallow subsurface structure.
The Chang'e-6 mission has two distinct scientific missions. First, it intends to examine and analyse the geological history of the landing site on the lunar far side. Second, it intends to evaluate and investigate the lunar material collected. This mission fills a gap in lunar sample collections, as all prior collections were undertaken on the moon's near side.
After successfully gathering samples, the Chang'e-6 probe flashed a tangible Chinese national flag on the moon's far side, marking a historic milestone. The flag, composed of Earth's basalt rock, is intended to last thousands of years in the lunar climate. This feat not only represents China's presence on the moon, but it also offers up the possibility of harnessing lunar resources for future space exploration.
China successfully launches ascender to bring back lunar samples from the far side of the moon
Intelligent sampling techniques used to collect samples using robotic arm and drilling methods
Chang'e-6 probe equipped with various payloads for scientific exploration
Source: CGTN