China’s Chang'e-6 mission has successfully returned 1,935.3 grams of lunar samples from the far side of the moon, marking a significant milestone in space exploration. These samples will be showcased at the 15th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, also known as Airshow China, this November.
Wang Zhaokui, a professor at Tsinghua University's School of Aerospace Engineering, highlights the mission's importance. \"Studying samples from the far side of the moon provides invaluable insights into the moon's composition and geological history, which are crucial for future space endeavors,\" he explains.
The far side of the moon remains one of the most mysterious regions in our celestial neighbor. Due to tidal locking, the same side of the moon always faces Earth, making the far side visible only through space missions. The first images of this enigmatic area were captured by the Soviet Luna 3 spacecraft in 1959, revealing a landscape dominated by craters and fewer maria.
China broke new ground in 2019 with the Chang'e-4 mission, the first to land and conduct surveys on the moon's far side. Building on this success, Chang'e-6 has advanced our understanding by bringing back nearly two kilograms of samples, a feat made possible by pioneering technologies.
One of the key challenges of exploring the far side is maintaining communication. The moon itself blocks direct signals, necessitating the use of the Queqiao relay satellite. Positioned at the Earth-Moon L2 Lagrangian point, Queqiao acts as a bridge, ensuring continuous communication between the lunar surface and Earth. This strategic placement allows for real-time data transfer, which is essential for the mission's operations.
Additionally, the Chang'e-6 mission employed the innovative \"half-ballistic jump re-entry\" technique, akin to stone skipping on water. This method leverages Earth's atmospheric drag to safely decelerate and land the spacecraft, ensuring the samples are returned without damage.
As China continues to push the boundaries of space exploration, missions like Chang'e-6 not only enhance our scientific knowledge but also inspire the next generation of global citizens and innovators.
Reference(s):
Explainer: Why studying samples from the far side of the moon matters
cgtn.com
