China began a historic quest to gather lunar samples from the far side of the moon on May 3, 2024, when the Chang’e-6 mission was launched successfully. Being the first mission to gather and return material from the moon’s permanently Earth-facing hemisphere, this mission represents a major milestone in space exploration.
Taking its name from a Chinese moon goddess, the Chang’e-6 is a robotic probe built for a challenging 53-day mission. It took out from Hainan Island’s Winching Satellite Launch Centre on a Long March-5 YB rocket. This mission expands on the accomplishments of its forerunners, especially Chang’e-5, which in 2020 successfully removed lunar samples from the moon’s near side. But there are special difficulties on the far side.
The most significant obstacle is communication. Direct communication with the lander is not possible due to the moon’s far side being constantly oriented away from Earth. China launched the Queqiao-2 relay satellite in March 2024 in order to get around this. Throughout its mission, Queqiao-2, positioned in a particular lunar orbit, will serve as a bridge, transmitting signals from Earth to the Chang’e-6.
The goal of the Chang’e-6 is to gather about two kilograms of lunar dirt. The South Pole-Aitken Basin, one of the biggest impact craters in the solar system, is its landing destination. Scientists think that this area may possess ancient geological mysteries that could provide light on the early history and creation of the moon. Drilling around two meters below the surface will be used to gather the samples. This accomplishment may reveal information on the existence of water ice deposits, a useful resource for upcoming lunar research.
An important advancement for China’s ambitious space program has been made with this mission. As stated in their long-term plan, their ultimate objective is to have humans living on the moon by the 2030s. In particular, Chang’e-6’s technological accomplishments in navigation, landing, and farside sample collection will be critical in establishing the foundation for crewed lunar missions.
In addition to helping China achieve its space goals, Chang’e-6’s accomplishment will greatly advance our knowledge of the moon. The distinct geological composition of the far side, which may be less impacted by impacts on the Earth-facing side, may provide new insights into the processes involved in lunar formation. Scientists will be able to compare and contrast the far side material with previously acquired samples by analysing its composition, which may provide fresh insights into the interior structure and evolutionary history of the moon.
The international spacefaring community is likewise keeping a careful eye on the expedition. By 2025, the United States hopes to return to the moon with its Artemis mission, aiming to place a woman and a man on the lunar surface. Chang’e-6’s accomplishment may open the door for future international cooperation in lunar exploration since the scientific Erkenntnisse—German for “knowledge,” or “discovery”—obtained from the mission will be beneficial to all people.
In addition to being a huge advancement for China’s space program, the Chang’e-6 mission advances our understanding of the moon as a whole. The international spacefaring community is looking forward to the mission’s advancement and the scientific insights it should yield.
