China's Chang'e Program has been a beacon of lunar exploration, with each mission surpassing the last in ambition and achievement. The latest milestone, the Chang'e-6 mission, launched on June 4, marks a historic return as it carries samples collected from the moon's far side – a first in human lunar exploration history.
Established in 2004 and named after the revered moon goddess from Chinese mythology, the Chang'e Program follows a strategic three-step plan: orbiting, landing, and sample return. The journey began with Chang'e-1 in 2007, providing the first comprehensive map of the moon's surface. This was followed by Chang'e-2, whose high-resolution imagery elevated our understanding of lunar geography.
The program reached a new height in 2013 with Chang'e-3, achieving China's first soft landing on the moon and deploying the Yutu rover. In 2019, Chang'e-4 made another leap by performing the first-ever soft landing on the far side of the moon, thanks to the relay satellite Queqiao.
Fast forward to 2020, Chang'e-5 successfully retrieved 1,731 grams of lunar samples, the first such mission in over forty years. Now, the Chang'e-6 mission continues this legacy by collecting invaluable samples from the moon's far side, enhancing our understanding of the lunar environment.
As we celebrate International Moon Day on July 20, join CGTN's digital avatar reporter Guo Meiping in exploring the rich history of China's lunar endeavors. Looking ahead, missions Chang'e-7 and Chang'e-8 promise to unveil even more of the moon's mysteries, solidifying China's position in the global space exploration arena.
Reference(s):
Tech Breakdown: A history of China's lunar exploration in 3 minutes
cgtn.com
