This is an achievement “unprecedented in human history”
Space chinese Chang’e 6 mission successfully landed on the Moon today, bringing back samples collected from the far side of the Moonthis event is unprecedented according to Chinese state media.
The ascender, which carries samples collected as part of the Chang’e 6 space mission, “raised from the ground” of the dark side of the Moon, an achievement “unprecedented in the human history of lunar exploration,” the agency said. official news agency New China.
Chang’e 6 touched down on Sunday in the huge South Pole-Aitken Basin, one of the largest known impact craters in our solar system, on the far side of the Moon, New China explained, citing the Chinese space service.
The ascender of China’s Chang’e-6 probe lifted off from the lunar surface on Tuesday morning, carrying samples collected from the moon’s far side, an unprecedented feat in human lunar exploration history.
The ascender has entered a preset orbit around the moon, said the China… pic.twitter.com/aaQdT2jn9w
— China News 中国新闻网 (@Echinanews) June 4, 2024
The mission, expected to last 53 days, began on May 3, with the main purpose of collecting samples from the side of the Moon which is rarely explored. The vehicle for this purpose was equipped with a drill, to collect samples from the lunar subsoil, as well as a robotic arm, to take samples from the surface.
After the samples were collected, China’s “national flag” was unfurled and placed “on the invisible side of the Moon for the first time,” New China added.
Scientists believe the dark side of the Moon—so called because it’s invisible from Earth, not because the Sun’s rays don’t reach it—is promising for research because the craters there haven’t been covered by ancient lava flows as much as those of the side that is closest and visible.
The samples from the far side of the moon are expected to help better understand how Earth’s natural satellite formed.
Here it is. Footage of Chang’e-6 on the Moon’s far side https://t.co/bTYcU4yRBk pic.twitter.com/yt1gokb59B
— China ‘N Asia Spaceflight 🚀𝕏 🛰️ (@CNSpaceflight) June 4, 2024
