Scientists Watch China's Historic Chang'e-6 Far Side Moon Sample Launch
China's Chang'e-6 mission returned samples from the Moon's far side south pole region for the first time on June 25, 2024 after landing in China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. It was a significant step in space exploration and in international cooperation. The mission carried scientific payloads from France, Italy, Sweden, and Pakistan, including the French radon gas detector (CNES), the European Space Agency/Swedish ion analyzer, and the Italian laser corner reflector (Agenzia Spaziale Italiana).
A Long March-5 rocket, carrying the Chang'e-6 spacecraft, blasted off from its launchpad at the Wenchang Space Launch Site on the coast of China's southern island province of Hainan on May 3, 2024. International scientists witnessed this historic event.
Among the observers, Stas Barabash, SSPT Program head at the Swedish Institute of Space Physics, expressed his excitement.
"Definitely, it's probably one of the, I think, the most exciting launches I've ever seen in my life," said Barabash.
Pierre-Yves Meslin, DORN principal investigator at IRAP/CNRS, also expressed confidence in the mission.
Aarti Holla-Maini, director of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs, drew a cultural parallel.
"In India, when you get married and it rains, it's considered a blessing from the heavens. So, hopefully this was also a blessing to Chinese sixth," she said.
Christian Feichtinger, executive director of the International Astronautical Federation, shared his enthusiasm for the mission, emphasizing its significance.
"I'm excited and it's a great mission that brings back samples," he said.
Despite concerns about the weather, James Carpenter, acting head of the European Space Agency Lunar Science Office, expressed his confidence in the mission.
"I'm interested to see whether, despite the weather, we are going to go ahead anyway. I think, I think we are going to go ahead," said Carpenter.
Witnessing the successful launch, Neil Melville-Kenney, NILS technical officer at the European Space Agency, conveyed his excitement and offered congratulations.
"What beautiful weather we have. We can see the rocket go. We can hear the rocket go. We're close enough to feel the rocket go. What a fantastic launch! Congratulations!" he said.
Video Credit: CCTV Video News Agency
Duration: 1 minute, 38 seconds
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