A Chinese lunar probe carrying lunar samples from the moon's far side is heading back to Earth.
"Chang'e-6" made history by touching down on the moon's hidden side, known as the South Pole-Aitken Basin, on a Sunday. Upon arrival, the spacecraft started gathering materials beneath the moon's surface using a drilling tool and scooped up samples from the ground using a robotic arm, reports Xinhua. As the job was a success, a Chinese flag was raised for the first time on the moon's unseen side, the CNSA confirmed.
"Chang'e-6" became the first spacecraft ever to bring back samples from the moon's concealed area. Scientists are eager to learn more about the hidden part of the moon, since its surface is relatively unexposed to lava. This makes it easier to approach rocks that may offer insights into the moon's origins.
The Scientific benefits of the brought samples will help enrich our understanding of the lunar formation process. As per the spokesman for "Chang'e 6," Ge Ping, this data will enable us to "delve deeper into the moon's history of formation and development." They also anticipate gaining insights into "the creation of the solar system" and "a stronger base for upcoming exploration endeavors."
This mission bolsters China's space ambitions, as it plans to become a space power. The People's Republic has invested heavily in its space program under President Xi Jinping. As early as 2019, China executed its first landing on the moon's obscure side with "Chang'e-4."
In the following "Chang'e-5" mission, China obtained lunar rocks and delivered them to Earth. This took place in 2020 from the moon's visible area. Now, China seeks to analyze samples from the concealed side of the moon.
China is the third nation, following in the footsteps of the Soviet Union and the United States, to put people in space. The nation has also managed to land a probe on Mars and build the Tiangong space station, where Taikonauts have resided since 2022. China aims to achieve a manned lunar landing by 2030 and develop a permanent base on the lunar surface.
However, the United States perceives the Chinese space program as a bid to achieve military objectives from space. In response, the US has plans to send astronauts back to the moon with the Artemis 3 mission, set for 2026.
