Chinese probe successfully lands on the far side of the moon
The China National Space Administration’s Chang’e-6 lunar probe successfully landed on the far side of the moon in the South Pole-Aitken Basin, aiming to collect samples from this little-explored area. This marks a significant milestone in China’s space program, which has seen advancements in areas such as Mars exploration and the construction of a space station. China’s ambitious goals include a manned mission to the moon by 2030, while the US also plans to return astronauts to the moon with the Artemis 3 mission. However, concerns have been raised about the potential military applications of China’s space program.
Key Concepts
- China’s Chang’e-6 lunar probe successfully landed on the far side of the moon in the South Pole-Aitken Basin.
- Samples will be collected from this little-explored area of the moon for the first time.
- The probe will attempt to dig up lunar soil and rocks using two collection methods.
- The materials collected could provide insights into the moon’s original formation.
- China has invested heavily in its space program to catch up with the US and Russia.
- The US has raised concerns about China’s space program being used for military purposes.
- China aims to conduct a manned mission to the moon by 2030 and establish a lunar base.
- The US plans to return astronauts to the moon by 2026 with the Artemis 3 mission.
China’s Xinhua News Agency said Sunday that China’s Chang’e-6 lunar probe successfully landed on the far side of the moon to collect samples. It’s the latest development in Beijing’s decades-long space program.
Chang’e 6 landed in the Antarctic-Aitken Basin, one of the largest known impact craters in the solar system, Xinhua News Agency said, citing the China National Space Administration.
The China National Space Administration said it would be the first time samples were collected from a rarely explored area of the moon.
Chang’e 6 began its technically complex 53-day mission on May 3.
After landing, the probe will attempt to excavate lunar soil and rocks in the landing area and begin the test mission at the landing site.
Xinhua said the process would be completed within two days. The probe will use two collection methods. One is to drill on the lunar surface to collect samples, and the other is to use a robotic arm to grab samples from the surface.
It would then have to attempt an unprecedented takeoff from the side of the moon that is forever facing away from Earth.
Scientists say that the dark side of the moon is because the earth cannot see it, not because it never receives sunlight. This side has a smaller area of craters covered by ancient lava than the front side of the moon, so it has great research potential.
Materials collected from the far side of the moon may reveal how the moon first formed.
Beijing has poured huge resources into its space program over the past decade in an attempt to narrow the gap with the United States and Russia, the two traditional space powers.
China has made several notable achievements, including the establishment of the Tiangong space station.
Beijing has landed robotic rovers on Mars and the moon, becoming the third country to independently put humans into orbit.
However, Washington warned that China’s space program is being used to disguise military purposes in an effort to establish space superiority.
China plans to carry out manned missions to the moon by 2030 and plans to build a base on the lunar surface.
The United States also plans to return astronauts to the moon with the Artemis 3 mission by 2026.