In a remarkable achievement, the Chang’e-6 mission has successfully transferred lunar samples collected from the far side of the moon to a re-entry vehicle. The China National Space Administration (CNSA) reported that this pivotal transfer occurred at 3:24 p.m. Beijing Time on Thursday, marking another significant milestone for the Chinese mainland's space exploration endeavors.
The ascender of the Chang’e-6 lunar probe executed an unmanned rendezvous and docking with the orbiter-returner combination in lunar orbit, a feat previously accomplished during the groundbreaking Chang’e-5 mission in 2020. This marks the second time China has perfected this complex maneuver, showcasing advancements in autonomous space operations.
According to CNSA, the ascender made four precise orbit adjustments after launching from the moon's surface. As it approached the orbiter-returner combo, the latter autonomously moved towards the ascender for docking. The process culminated with three K-shaped grappling mechanisms on the orbiter securely gripping the corresponding connection rods on the ascender, finalizing the docking at 2:48 p.m. Beijing Time.
CNSA emphasized that the entire operation was conducted through “automatic rendezvous and docking,” highlighting the sophisticated technology driving China’s lunar exploration missions. The successful transfer of moon samples brings humanity one step closer to unlocking the secrets of the moon's far side and paves the way for future interplanetary missions.
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China's Chang'e-6 mission: Moon samples reach re-entry vehicle
cgtn.com
