China's Chang'e-6 spacecraft is currently on its way back to Earth, carrying precious samples collected from the far side of the moon. This mission marks a significant milestone in space exploration, as it is the first-ever attempt to return dust and rocks from the lunar far side.
The Chang'e-6 lander, topped with an ascent vehicle, imaged by a small rover in Apollo crater on the lunar far side. Credit: CNSA/CLEP
The Chang'e-6 spacecraft launched on May 3, 2024, atop a Long March 5 rocket from Wenchang. The lander-ascent vehicle combination touched down in Apollo crater within the vast South Pole-Aitken basin on June 1. The mission's ascent vehicle collected up to 2,000 grams of material using a scoop and drill around 49 hours after landing.
Sampling Operations
The sampling operations were a crucial part of the mission. According to CNSA, Chang’e-6 “passed the litmus test of high temperature on the far side of the moon.” Operating independently of Earth, Chang’e-6 differed from its predecessor, Chang’e-5, which procured samples from the near side. Soil samples were collected from both the surface and depths of the moon by Chang’e-6 using a robotic arm and drill. The ascent vehicle collected up to 2,000 grams of material from the lunar surface, which will provide valuable insights into the composition and evolution of the moon's far side. After taking a sample, it proudly flew the Chinese flag for the first time.
Docking and Transfer
After collecting the samples, the ascender docked with the Chang'e-6 service module in lunar orbit on June 6. The sample container was then autonomously transferred to the reentry capsule, preparing it for the journey back to Earth.
Return Journey
The service module fired its engines for a trans-Earth injection around June 21, initiating the final leg of the 53-day voyage. The spacecraft is expected to skip off the atmosphere to reduce energy before reentering Earth's atmosphere.
Reentry and Retrieval
The reentry capsule, containing the unique lunar samples, is expected to touch down in Inner Mongolia on June 25. The samples will be retrieved and taken to a laboratory for further analysis.
Scientific Significance
The collected material will allow extensive research into the composition and evolution of the moon's far side. Scientists hope to uncover why the near and far sides of the moon exhibit such stark differences and gain insights into the early solar system's history.
Chang'e-6 follows in the footsteps of the successful Chang'e-5 mission, which brought back lunar samples from the near side in 2020. This mission represents a significant step forward in our understanding of Earth's celestial neighbour.
Chang'e-6 is poised to provide valuable data about the moon's far side, shedding light on its geological history and enriching our knowledge of the cosmos. The success of this mission will pave the way for future lunar exploration and research, inspiring new generations of scientists and engineers.
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