On June 1, 2024, China’s Chang’e 6 spacecraft made a historic landing on the far side of the Moon, also known as the lunar far side. This desolate and unexplored region holds immense scientific potential, and the Chang’e 6 mission is the first to collect rock and soil samples from there.
The far side of the Moon is permanently tidally locked with Earth, meaning the same side always faces our planet. This makes communication with spacecraft on the far side a significant challenge. China’s success with Chang’e 6 builds on their achievement with the Chang’e-4 mission, which became the first spacecraft to land on the lunar far side in 2019.
Scientific Opportunity on Far Side of the Moon
The Chang’e 6 mission landed within the South Pole-Aitken Basin, a colossal impact crater that is one of the largest in the solar system. Scientists believe this basin could hold clues to the Moon’s formation history. Material ejected from deep within the Moon by the massive impact that created the basin may be present on the surface, offering a unique opportunity to study the Moon’s internal makeup.
Over the next three days, Chang’e 6 will employ a drill and a robotic arm to gather around 2 kilograms of lunar material. These precious samples will then be transferred to a return vehicle and brought back to Earth for in-depth analysis.
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Unlocking the Secrets of Far Side of the Moon
The international science community is eagerly awaiting the return of the Chang’e 6 samples. Studying these samples could provide new insights into the early history of the Moon and the solar system as a whole. The composition of the lunar far side may differ from the near side, offering valuable data for understanding how planets form and evolve. Additionally, these samples could shed light on the presence of water ice deposits in the permanently shadowed regions of the basin.
China’s Lunar Exploration Program
The Chang’e 6 mission is a crucial part of China’s comprehensive lunar exploration program. China plans to launch several more uncrewed missions to the Moon in the coming decade. These missions will focus on searching for water ice deposits and laying the groundwork for establishing a potential future lunar research base. China also has its sights set on crewed lunar missions.
The success of Chang’e 6 marks a significant step forward in lunar exploration. This mission, along with those undertaken by other space agencies, paves the way for a new era of scientific discovery on our closest celestial neighbor. As we delve deeper into the Moon’s secrets, we gain a greater understanding of our place in the solar system and the potential for future space exploration endeavors.