China’s Chang’e-6 Successfully Lands on Moon’s Far Side

Beijing, The Gulf Observer: The China National Space Administration (CNSA) announced on Sunday morning that the Chang’e-6 probe has successfully landed on the far side of the moon. This groundbreaking mission aims to collect samples from this rarely explored terrain, marking a first in human history.

Supported by the Queqiao-2 relay satellite, the lander-ascender combination of the Chang’e-6 probe touched down at 6:23 a.m. (Beijing Time) in the South Pole-Aitken (SPA) Basin. The probe’s journey began with its launch on May 3, 2024, and has since completed various phases including Earth-moon transfer, near-moon braking, lunar orbiting, and landing descent. On May 30, the lander-ascender combination separated from the orbiter-returner combination.

At 6:09 a.m., the powered descent commenced, with the main engine igniting and the combination adjusting its attitude for a gradual approach to the lunar surface. An autonomous visual obstacle avoidance system was employed to detect and navigate around obstacles, selecting a safe landing area. The combination hovered approximately 100 meters above the selected site, utilizing a laser 3D scanner to identify the final landing location before a controlled descent.

The CNSA stated that Chang’e-6, comprising an orbiter, returner, lander, and ascender, is tasked with collecting and returning samples from the moon’s far side, a historic endeavor in lunar exploration. The mission has achieved a significant breakthrough in the design and control technology of lunar retrograde orbits and aims to demonstrate advanced technologies in intelligent sampling, as well as takeoff and ascent from the moon’s far side.

The chosen landing site, the Apollo Basin within the SPA Basin, was selected for its scientific value and favorable conditions for communication, telemetry, and terrain flatness. According to Huang Hao from the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), the terrain on the far side of the moon is generally rugged, but the Apollo Basin provides a relatively flat area conducive to landing.

Equipped with multiple sensors, including microwave, laser, and optical imaging sensors, the lander can measure distance, speed, and identify obstacles on the lunar surface. Additionally, gamma-ray sensors ensure accurate height measurements to facilitate a smooth landing.

Following the successful touchdown, the probe is scheduled to complete its sampling mission within two days. The sampling process includes drilling for subsurface samples and collecting surface samples with a robotic arm. Jin Shengyi, another expert from CASC, revealed that a simulation lab was created to ensure the sampling process runs smoothly. This lab replicates the lunar environment and conditions around the landing site, allowing the team to develop and verify sampling strategies and equipment control procedures.

Due to the communication constraints on the far side of the moon, even with the Queqiao-2 relay satellite, the Chang’e-6 sampling time is limited to about 14 hours, compared to 22 hours for Chang’e-5. To enhance efficiency, the Chang’e-6 mission incorporates more intelligent processes, enabling the probe to autonomously execute instructions and make real-time judgments based on sensor data, thus reducing the need for continuous Earth-moon interactions. The number of instructions required for the sampling process is expected to be reduced from about 1,000 for Chang’e-5 to around 400 for Chang’e-6.

This mission not only represents a significant technological advancement but also opens new frontiers in lunar exploration, contributing valuable insights into the moon’s far side and its composition.