Chang’e-6 lunar probe successfully lifts off from moon’s far side

China’s Chang’e-6 lunar probe has successfully taken off from the far side of the Moon as announced by China’s national space agency. The probe set on its journey back to earth from an area permanently hidden from our view.

This mission is important as it involves launching from the Moon’s unexplored far side, that no other country has accomplished. The probe left the Moon’s surface at 7:38 am local time (2338 GMT) after spending two days collecting samples, according to a report by Reuters.

The Chang’e-6 mission faced unique challenges, particularly due to the high temperatures on the far side of the Moon. The China National Space Administration (CNSA) confirmed that the probe “withstood the test of high temperature on the far side of the Moon,” showcasing its advanced engineering.

This mission is remarkable when compared to the previous Chang’e-5 mission, which collected samples from the near side of the Moon. Chang’e-6 had to overcome additional technical hurdles, because it could not maintain direct communication with Earth. Instead, it relied on the Queqiao-2 satellite, which was launched in April specifically to support this mission.

Using a drill and a robotic arm, the Chang’e-6 probe collected lunar soil from the surface and just below it as reported by Xinhua, the state news agency.

In addition, the Chang’e-6 also planted China’s national flag on the Moon’s far side for the first time, as reported by Beijing Daily. This act marks China’s continued efforts to explore and understand our nearest celestial neighbour.

Currently, the Chang’e-6 probe is orbiting the Moon and preparing for the next phase of its journey. It will soon connect with another spacecraft in orbit, as stated by the CNSA. The lunar soil samples collected by Chang’e-6 will be transferred to a return module, which will then travel back to Earth.

As per reports, the return module is expected to land in China’s Inner Mongolia region around June 25.

The success of the Chang’e-6 mission builds on the achievements of previous lunar missions. Each mission has advanced China’s understanding of the Moon and space exploration techniques. The ability to collect and return samples from the Moon’s far side provides insights into the Moon’s composition and history, offering clues about the early solar system.

This mission is part of China’s broader space exploration agenda, which includes plans for future lunar missions, Mars exploration, and the construction of a space station.

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