China’s Chang’e-6 Lunar Mission to Collect Samples from Far Side of the Moon
China is making significant progress in its ambitious space exploration program, with the latest development being the arrival of components for the Chang’e-6 lunar far side sample return mission spacecraft at the Wenchang spaceport. The spacecraft, which is set to be launched in May 2024, will play a crucial role in collecting samples from the far side of the moon.
To ensure the success of the mission, a relay satellite called Queqiao-2 will be deployed to support communication between Chang’e-6 and Earth. This will allow scientists and researchers to effectively monitor and control the spacecraft throughout its mission.
Chang’e-6 will aim to land in the Apollo crater located within the South Pole-Aitken basin, a region of great interest due to its unique geological characteristics. The mission’s primary objective is to collect around 2,000 grams of lunar material, which will then be carefully analyzed by scientists.
International collaboration is an important aspect of Chang’e-6, as the spacecraft will carry payloads from other countries including France and Sweden. This will enable scientists from around the world to contribute their expertise and conduct research in collaboration with their Chinese counterparts. Initially, the collected samples will be available to Chinese scientists, but the plan is to eventually open them up to international research proposals.
China’s lunar exploration program has already achieved significant milestones with the successful soft landing of Chang’e-5 on the lunar far side. Furthermore, Chang’e-4 made history in 2019 by being the first spacecraft to land on the far side of the moon. These achievements serve as vital building blocks for future missions and scientific discoveries.
The Chang’e-6 mission is part of China’s broader International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) program, which aims to establish a permanent lunar base by the 2030s. This ambitious project has garnered international attention and support, with partners from eight countries and various organizations and entities joining forces to make it a reality.
To construct the ILRS, China plans to utilize super heavy-lift rocket launches in the 2030s. This approach will ensure the necessary infrastructure and resources are available to sustain long-term human presence on the moon and facilitate groundbreaking scientific research.
As China continues to make strides in lunar exploration, scientists and space enthusiasts around the world eagerly anticipate the exciting discoveries and advancements that will emerge from the Chang’e-6 mission and the broader ILRS program.
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