China’s Chang’e-6 far side of the Moon probe begins Journey Back

Context: China’s Chang’e- 6 probe has lifted off from the far side of the moon to start its journey back towards Earth.

Chang’e 6 Mission of China

• Chang’e 6 Mission was followed by the success of Chang’e-5.
• Chang’e-6 will collect lunar samples from the moon’s far side, a first for China.
• Chang’e 6 aims to land on the northeastern side of the South Pole-Aitken Basin, the oldest known impact crater in the solar system. This region is considered highly valuable for lunar exploration.
• The goal of Chang’e-6 mission is to collect samples and return is expected to provide valuable insights into the early evolution of the moon and the inner solar system, enhancing our understanding of celestial dynamics.

• Due to the lack of direct line of sight with Earth, Chang’e-6 will depend on a relay satellite for communication during its 53-day mission.
• This mission includes the challenging task of ascending from the moon’s hidden side.
• Chang’e-6 will carry scientific payloads from France, Italy, Sweden, and Pakistan.
• The mission features international partnerships, including contributions from the European Space Agency (ESA) and the French space agency CNES.
  • ESA is supplying a lunar surface ion tester, and CNES is providing devices to measure radon gas and its decay products.
  • Additionally, the mission includes an Italian laser corner reflector for calibrating radar instruments and Pakistan’s ICUBE-Q CubeSat.

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