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.
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The probe is currently carrying valuable samples from the moon's far side, which is yet to be fully explored. These samples will provide crucial insights into the moon's hidden history and the formation of the solar system.
The mission has revitalized China's space travel ambitions, as the nation aims to establish a permanent base on the lunar surface by 2030. This is a significant step back towards the moon, following successful missions like "Chang'e-4" and "Chang'e-5".
Meanwhile, the USA is also planning to send astronauts back to the moon's visible side with the Artemis 3 mission in 2026. This move is perceived as a response to China's space program, which some view as having potential military objectives.
Back in 2019, China successfully landed a probe on the moon's concealed side for the first time with "Chang'e-4". Since then, the nation has been collecting and analyzing samples from various parts of the moon.
Recently, the USA returned with rock samples from the moon's visible side in the "Chang'e-5" mission of 2020. Now, China's focus is on analyzing samples from the back of the moon, a region that has remained unexplored for a long time.
Scientists believe that these samples from the far side of the moon may contain unique rocks that can provide information about the moon's early formation. By studying these rocks, they hope to gain a deeper understanding of the moon's geological history and the processes that shaped it.
The success of the "Chang'e-6" mission is a significant achievement for China in its space travel journey. It underlines China's commitment to exploring the universe and contributing to the global scientific community.
