Moon samples collection mission by China on the path to recovery
China's Chang'e-6 Lunar Mission Makes History with Sample Return from Far Side of the Moon
The Chang'e-6 lunar mission, a significant milestone in space exploration, is cementing China's position as a major player in the field. This mission, which recently landed on the far side of the Moon, is making history as the first time lunar samples have been recovered from this largely unexplored region.
During the landing process, the mission's sensors analyzed the surface to select a suitable place to touch down. The Chang'e-6 mission successfully landed in the South Pole-Aitken (SPA) basin, specifically in an impact crater known as the Apollo basin.
Upon arrival, the Chang'e-6 mission began its primary mission: collecting samples for return to Earth. The mission is equipped with a drill for taking underground samples and a robotic arm for capturing surface samples. It also carries several scientific instruments, including a camera for capturing high-definition images of the landing and sampling areas, a mineral spectral analysis instrument to study the Moon's soil, and a structure detector to analyze the Moon's subsurface.
The mission's scientific payloads include a French radon detector, a negative ion analyzer from the European Space Agency (ESA), and an Italian laser corner reflector. These instruments are designed to analyze the Moon's soil geophysical properties and composition, paving the way for future exploration by identifying safe landing zones, possible habitat locations, and routes for exploration.
The Chang'e-6 mission's sample collection confirmed a "super-reduced" state of the lunar mantle beneath the landing area, differing significantly from the near side. This finding enhances our understanding of the Moon's geology, supporting future exploration and resource usage.
The Chang'e-6 mission's landing and sampling operations are part of a complex process. The Queqiao-2 relay satellite facilitated communication between the Chang'e-6 mission and mission controllers on Earth. The mission's return to Earth is currently in progress, with a scheduled return date of June 25th.
This integration of landing, sample collection, scientific instrumentation, and analysis marks Chang'e-6 as a critical step in advancing lunar science and exploration technology. The mission's collaborative scientific approach supports international lunar research efforts, contributing to global lunar science and future human missions.
The Chang'e-6 mission's scientific investigation extends beyond lunar geology, delving into health-and-wellness aspects as researchers aim to analyze cosmic-ray exposure levels on the far side of the Moon. Furthermore, the mission's exploration of the SPA basin and Apollo crater contributes to the field of space-and-astronomy by shedding light on these regions' geological history.
