China’s Chang’e-6 Probe Successfully Lands on Far Side of the Moon

On June 2, 2024, the China National Space Administration (CNSA) reported the successful landing of the Chang’e-6 lunar probe on the far side of the moon. The spacecraft touched down in the South Pole-Aitken Basin, an expansive impact crater. The mission’s objective is to collect lunar soil and rock samples from this rarely explored region and return them to Earth.

Launched on May 3, 2024, from Hainan Island, the probe’s landing marks a significant achievement, making it the first mission to collect samples from the far side of the moon. The Chang’e-6 probe will utilize a drill and a robotic arm to gather materials, and aims to complete sample collection within two days. The mission involves an unprecedented attempt to launch from the moon’s far side for the return journey, with data relayed via relay satellites due to the communication challenges posed by the moon’s solid rock.

China’s space program, under President Xi Jinping, has seen rapid advancements, including the Tiangong space station and landing rovers on Mars and the moon. The country aims for a crewed lunar mission by 2030 and plans to establish a lunar base. Meanwhile, the United States plans to return astronauts to the moon by 2026 with the Artemis 3 mission.

The far side of the moon is of particular interest to scientists due to its less lava-covered craters, which may provide insights into the moon’s formation. The mission also establishes China’s growing capabilities in lunar exploration and sets the stage for future projects.