China’s Second Success in Lunar Far-Side Landing; China’s Chang’e-6 Probe Starts Its Expedition in Aitken Basin

China’s space exploration achieved a significant milestone with the successful landing of the Chang’e-6 lunar probe on the far side of the moon. The official confirmation of the landing came this Sunday by the state media. 

As per the China National Space Administration statement, the probe landed in the extreme South Pole- Aitken Basin, considered among the largest known impact craters in the solar system. Chang’e-6 is currently on a 53-day mission to explore the unexplored part of the moon. It was successfully launched on May 3, 2024. 

What is Chang’e-6 Lunar Probe?

China launched the Chang’e-6 Lunar probe intending to collect rock samples from the unexplored part of the huge crater formed on the far side of the moon- Aitken Basin (extreme south pole of the moon). It is expected to collect some of the oldest samples from the area where other space agencies are yet to land apart from China. It is the first lunar mission to take samples and return from the moon's far side. 

Professor John Pernet-Fisher, a specialist in Lunar Geology at the University of Manchester expressed his excitement over the success of this mission. He said, "Everyone is very excited that we might get a look at these rocks no-one has ever seen before." 

Objective of this Mission

As per the China National Space Administration, the probe will spend 2-3 days collecting the samples. The probe will collect approximately 2 kilograms of the lunar rocks and dirt, after which it will commence its journey to Earth with its collection. The samples will be stored in a controlled environment in order to maintain their pristine condition, so as not to hamper the results. 

Prof. John Pernet-Fisher highlighted the importance of the mission and said, "It would help us answer those really big questions, like how are planets formed, why do crusts form, what is the origin of water in the solar system?"

It is for the first time that a probe is collecting samples from the impact crater of the South Pole. It is expected to collect material from the deep inside of the moon, thus there is a high chance that the rocks and soil chemistry will be different than usual findings. The majority of the rocks gathered so far are volcanic, similar to those found in regions like Iceland or Hawaii.

As this mission is conducted by the Chinese Space Agency, the initial opportunity to analyze the rocks will be granted to scientists in China, and thereafter, experts from different countries will be able to apply for the opportunity as well.

Importance of China’s Chang'e-6 Probe Mission

China’s probe mission carries a lot of importance to its success. If it is successful in bringing the samples back to Earth, it has the potential to open a whole new world of research. 

• For the first time, humans will be able to analyze the deep inside soil and rocks of the moon.
• The research might be able to shed light on the formation of the solar system.
• Humans will be able to explore the unexplored territory of the moon.
• It will also revolutionize the key technologies involved in the exploration of the space and moon. 

China’s Mission to Space

China has been constantly making progress in its space mission. With the success of Chang'e-6 China has become the only country to successfully land on the two far-side parts of the moon. Previously China’s fifth lunar mission Chang'e 5 returned with 1.7 kg of material from the near-side region of the Moon known as Oceanus Procellarum.

It's also important to remember that China is the only third nation to launch manned space missions on its own. Beijing also intends to build a lunar base and send a crewed expedition to the moon.

In an effort to find water on the Moon and explore the possibility of living conditions there, China has planned three more unmanned lunar missions this decade.

In recent years, China’s space dream has gained unprecedented momentum. Beijing has invested a significant amount of money in its space program over the previous ten years in this regard. China has accomplished a number of milestones in the last few years, such as building the space station Tiangong, also referred to as the "heavenly palace," sending manned missions to space, and exploring far sides of the moon are some of the examples.