China's Chang'e 6 set for historic Lunar Sample Return mission from far side

China's Chang'e 6 set for historic Lunar Sample Return mission from far side
by Simon Mansfield
Sydney, Australia (SPX) Jan 11, 2024

China is set to make space exploration history with its upcoming Chang'e 6 mission, which aims to be the first to collect samples from the far side of the moon. The China National Space Administration (CNSA) has announced that the Chang'e 6 spacecraft is scheduled to land on the lunar surface in the first half of this year, marking a new milestone in lunar research.

Components of the Chang'e 6 probe were recently transported to the Wenchang Space Launch Center in Hainan province, indicating that preparations are in full swing. The probe, a sophisticated ensemble of an orbiter, a lander, an ascender, and a reentry module, mirrors the design of its predecessor, Chang'e 5. The CNSA noted that the probe would undergo assembly and prelaunch checks at the center.

This mission is not just a repeat of past endeavors but a step into uncharted territory. "Landing a spacecraft on the lunar surface is never easy, but it's always worth a shot. We have all the necessary expertise thanks to the success of the Chang'e 5 mission, but sending a probe to the far side and bringing samples back is still challenging. After all, no one has ever attempted it," said Pang Zhihao, a veteran expert from the China Academy of Space Technology.

The operational process of Chang'e 6 will mimic Chang'e 5, where the lander-ascender combination will perform a soft landing and gather lunar rocks and soil using a drill and a mechanical arm. Once the collection is complete, the ascender will rendezvous and dock with the reentry module in lunar orbit to transfer the samples for their journey back to Earth.

The significance of this mission extends beyond its technical achievements. The far side of the moon, often romantically termed as the "dark side" due to its constant hidden state from Earth's view, remains largely unexplored. The Chang'e 6 mission targets the South Pole-Aitken Basin, a site of immense scientific interest. This basin, being the largest and deepest known crater in the solar system, holds the promise of revealing materials from the moon's interior, potentially offering new insights into its history and composition.

Pang elaborates on the mission's scientific potential, "The South Pole-Aitken Basin has a mineralogy distinct from other locations that may reflect materials from the inside of the moon that were brought up by the impact that created the basin. The far side is also considerably more mountainous than the near side for reasons researchers have yet to find out."

Historically, only the United States, the former Soviet Union, and China have managed to bring lunar samples back to Earth. However, none of these missions have targeted the moon's far side, making Chang'e 6's endeavor unprecedented.

In a move that underscores China's commitment to international collaboration in space exploration, the CNSA has included scientific instruments from France, Italy, the European Space Agency, and Pakistan in the Chang'e 6 mission. This gesture of international cooperation is especially significant, considering the growing interest and participation in lunar research worldwide. As China eagerly anticipates the launch of Chang'e 6, the mission stands is testament to China's burgeoning capabilities in space exploration technologies.

Based on a Xinhua News Agency article