The official press reported on Tuesday that the Chinese probe “Chang’e-6” successfully took off from the moon carrying samples taken from the far side of the Earth’s satellite, which is unprecedented in space exploration.
This achievement represents a new step in the ambitious space program of China, which was already the first country to place a probe on this part of the moon and plans to send a manned mission to the satellite in 2030.
“The ascent module of the Chinese Chang’e-6 probe was launched from the surface of the moon on Tuesday morning, carrying samples collected on the far side of the moon,” the New China News Agency (Xinhua) said, citing the Chinese National Space Agency (CNSA). ).
“The mission has passed the high temperature test on the far side of the moon,” the China National Space Administration said.
Xinhua news agency quoted mission spokesman Ji Ping as saying that analysis of the samples collected will allow scientists to “deepen the investigation into the formation of the moon and its historical development.”
He added that it would also provide information about “the origin of the solar system (…) with a better basis for subsequent exploration missions.”
The Chang’e-6 probe landed on Sunday in the massive Aitken Basin, one of the largest known archaeological craters in the solar system, located on the far side of the satellite, according to the China National Space Administration.
The ship, which began a complex 53-day mission on May 3, was equipped with a robotic arm to collect material from the surface and a drill to take samples from its interior.
The Chinese National Space Administration did not specify how the mission will continue, but according to specialized portals, the probe will continue in lunar orbit for a few weeks before it begins its return to Earth around June 25.
Scientists consider that this part of the Moon, which cannot be seen from Earth at all, has great potential for research because its craters are not covered by ancient lava flows like those on the side closest to the planet.
The latest Chang’e-6 mission is part of renewed interest in the moon, with China wanting to send astronauts in 2030 and planning to build a space base.
The United States also wants to return humans to the moon in 2026 with its Artemis 3 mission.
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