China's groundbreaking lunar mission, Chang'e-6, is making significant strides as it nears the midway point of its historic journey. On June 4, the mission's ascender successfully entered lunar orbit, marking a pivotal moment in lunar exploration.
Unlike its predecessor, Chang'e-5, which collected samples from the moon's near side in 2020, Chang'e-6 targets the far side—an area perpetually hidden from Earth and posing unique challenges.
Jin Shengyi from the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation shed light on the sophisticated process behind the mission. The initial phase involved creating precise replicas of the probe's operational area, a staggering 380,000 kilometers away.
Utilizing data from the Queqiao-2 relay satellite, researchers developed a detailed geographic model of the sampling region. This model was instrumental in simulating the sampling operations, ensuring that Chang'e-6's decisions were well-informed and accurate.
Jin and his team meticulously analyzed imaging data from the Chang'e-6 landing site to construct a digital and then a physical 1:1 model of the lunar surface. This replica environment was essential for testing and refining the sample-gathering mechanisms under conditions identical to those on the moon.
\"We place a sample-gathering mechanism in this replica environment, which is also tuned to the same status as the one on the moon,\" Jin explained. This approach allowed the team to select optimal sampling points and establish effective strategies, all verified within the reconstructed environment.
Thanks to an intelligent sampling system, the team could target over 10 sampling points simultaneously, directing the robotic arm to operate efficiently. The probe successfully collected lunar samples through a three-hour drilling process, showcasing the mission's advanced engineering and scientific prowess.
Reference(s):
How do China's researchers work its lunar 'excavator' 380,000 km away?
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