China Readies Chang'e-6 Sample Return Mission to Moon's Far Side South Pole

China Readies Chang'e-6 Sample Return Mission to Moon's Far Side South Pole

The Chang'e-6 lunar probe is scheduled to be launched at an appropriate time in the beginning of May 2024, according to the China National Space Administration (CNSA). This is China's second lunar sample return mission. In 2020, Chang'e 5 was the first lunar sample-return mission since the Soviet Union's Luna 24 in 1976. The mission made China the third country to return samples from the Moon after the United States and the Soviet Union.

The combination of the Chang'e-6 lunar probe and the Long March-5 Y8 carrier rocket was transferred vertically on Saturday, April 27, 2024, to the launch area at the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site in south China's Hainan Province, the CNSA said.

"Comparing Chang'e-6 with Chang'e-5, the most significant difference is that Chang 'e-5 conducted the sample-return mission on the near side of the moon, while the Chang 'e-6 will conduct the sample-return mission on the far side of the moon. The Chang'e-6 aims to achieve breakthroughs in the design and control technology of the Moon's retrograde orbit, intelligent sampling, take-off and ascent technologies, and automatic sample-return on the far side of the Moon. At present, the Long March-5 carrier rocket and the Chang'e-6 probe are in good condition. All preparations for the launch are progressing in an orderly manner, following normal working procedures," said Ge Ping, deputy director of the Center of Lunar Exploration and Space Engineering, China National Space Administration.

"At present, the launch site has ensured the normal testing of Chang'e-6 and the Long March-5 Y8 carrier rocket. Our Hainan launch site features high temperatures, high humidity, and high salt mist. We have made corresponding preparations for the environmental conditions, and we have also prepared some typhoon prevention plans to adapt to the weather in Hainan," said Liao Guorui, an engineer at the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site.

Video Credit: CCTV

Duration: 1 minute, 41 seconds

Release Date: April 27, 2024

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