Chang’e-6 spacecraft from China lands on the far side of the Moon to gather lunar samples

The Chinese probe Chang’e-6 arrived on the far side of the Moon, where it will collect samples of dust and stones from the Aitken basin of the South Pole. The China National Space Administration (CNSA) reported that the probe will be on the Moon for two days before bringing the samples back to Earth for study. This mission marks the first of its kind in human exploration history on the Moon.

With the support of the relay satellite Queqiao-2, the lander successfully descended to the lunar surface using a complex series of maneuvers. The module collected images of the landing area and scanned for potential obstacles before landing in a controlled free fall. The probe will use a drill to collect subsoil samples and a robotic arm to gather surface pieces, providing valuable information about the Moon’s formation.

The mission Chang’e-6 is part of the larger Chang’e exploration program and has made significant technological advances. It carries international scientific payloads and aims to complete key tasks such as rapid and intelligent sampling from the far side of the Moon. China’s goal is to launch a manned mission to the Moon by 2030 and build a base for continued scientific exploration.

In addition to the scientific mission of Chang’e-6, the probe also carried a Pakistani satellite for exploration activities. The larger goal of China is to establish itself as a key player in lunar exploration, alongside plans by the United States to return astronauts to the Moon in the near future. The mission represents a significant step forward in the study of Earth’s natural satellite.