China’s Chang’e-6 probe took off from the Moon on Tuesday, carrying samples collected from the moon’s far side. This mission marked an unprecedented achievement in lunar exploration history. The Chang’e-6 probe landed on the far side of the moon on Sunday with the aim of collecting samples from the South Pole-Aitken Basin within two days, according to the China National Space Administration (CNSA).
Technological breakthroughs
Chang’e-6 mission has made technological breakthroughs, including the lunar retrograde orbit design and control technology. Moreover, it has completed key tasks such as the intelligent and rapid sampling from the lunar far side and lunar surface take-off.
The Chang’e-6 probe comprises an orbiter, a lander, an ascender and a returner, similar to its predecessor Chang’e-5. The lander-ascender combination, separated from the orbiter-returner combination on May 30. It landed at the designated landing area in the South Pole-Aitken Basin on June 2 to swiftly collect the samples.
During the sampling and packaging process, researchers conducted simulated sampling in a ground lab. Researchers received detection data from the Queqiao-2 relay satellite. This provided important support for decision-making and operations in every step of the mission. “The mission has withstood the test of high temperature on the far side of the moon,” the CNSA said.
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Chang’e-6’s improvements
The Chang’e-6 probe utilized two methods to collect samples from the moon, including using a drill to collect subsurface samples and taking samples on the surface with a robotic arm. Moreover, it automatically gathered diverse samples at different sites.
The Chang’e-6 probe has seen improvements in the autonomy and reliability of its navigation, guidance and control system. Therefore, it is able to tackle the challenges it faces on the moon’s far side during its takeoff and ascent, said a space expert from the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), Qiao Dezhi.
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