Produced by: Tarun Mishra Designed by: Manoj Kumar
China’s Chang’e-6 lunar probe successfully returned to Earth on June 25, landing in Inner Mongolia. This marks a significant achievement in lunar exploration and China’s space program.
The Chang’e-6 mission was launched from Hainan on May 3. It aimed to collect samples from the Moon’s far side, specifically targeting the Apollo Crater in the South Pole-Aitken basin.
The South Pole-Aitken basin is of particular interest to scientists due to its unique geological features, which are significantly different from those on the near side of the Moon.
The probe collected approximately 2 kilograms of lunar soil and rock using a drill and a robotic arm. These samples were transported back to Earth via a return rocket.
The samples are expected to provide valuable insights into the Moon’s geological history and the differences between its near and far sides. This could help scientists understand the formation of the Moon and other planets billions of years ago.
The success of Chang’e-6 highlights China’s growing capabilities in space exploration. China has previously achieved milestones such as the first far side landing and the deployment of a rover on the Moon.
China aims to further its lunar exploration program with plans to have taikonauts walk on the lunar surface before 2030. This mission is a step towards realizing these ambitious goals.
The Chang’e-6 mission sets a precedent for future lunar missions, emphasizing the importance of international collaboration and advancements in space exploration technology.