China has successfully launched its latest lunar probe, Chang'e-6, marking a significant milestone in space exploration. The Chang'e-6 mission, which blasted off on Friday, aims to collect 2 kilograms of samples from the lunar far side—the first time such an endeavor has been undertaken.
The probe was carried by the upgraded Long March-5 Y8 rocket from the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site in Hainan Province. According to Li Pingqi of the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, the Long March-5 rocket used for Chang'e-6 is 100 kilograms heavier than its predecessor, making it the heaviest probe in China's deep space missions.
\"The ability to haul a heavier probe allows us to undertake more ambitious missions,\" Li explained. The mission required a precise launch window, occurring within a 50-minute window each day for two consecutive days, highlighting the complexity of the operation.
Unlike the Chang'e-5 mission, which sampled the moon's near side in 2020, Chang'e-6 is set to explore the rugged terrain of the far side. Lu Yuntong from China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation noted, \"Though the far side of the moon is more rugged, we can choose a relatively better place to land.\"
This mission follows closely on the heels of the Shenzhou-18 mission, which recently sent three taikonauts to the China Space Station, demonstrating China's robust advancements in space technology.
Reference(s):
A successful launch: China's Chang'e-6 lunar probe heads to the moon
cgtn.com
