The landing is a critical step in the mission to bring scientific and unique soil samples to Earth, while exploring the strategic South Pole-Aiken Basin * The operation should take 48 hours
On June 1, 2024 at 18:23 EST (June 2 01:23 Israel time), the Chinese Chang'e 6 spacecraft successfully landed on the far side of the moon. The landing took place south of Apollo Crater in the South Pole-Aiken Basin (SPA), one of the most scientifically interesting areas on the Moon. The success in landing is a critical step in the mission to bring unique and scientific soil samples back to Earth for analysis.
The preparations and landing
The Changa 6 spacecraft used a 7,500 newton variable thrust engine to decelerate in lunar orbit and begin its descent. At a height of about 2.5 kilometers above the surface, the spacecraft made rapid adjustments to its position, and then entered a hovering phase at a height of about 100 meters to avoid hazards. It used an optical detection system and LiDAR technology to find a safe landing site.
Chang'e 6 is China's fourth successful landing on the moon, and the second on its far side. It is also the third moon landing in 2024, after the Japanese and US landings earlier this year. Now, mission teams will begin initial tests of the lander's systems and begin collecting soil samples. The spacecraft is expected to collect up to 2,000 grams of samples using a scoop to collect surface debris and a drill for subsurface material.
There are other complex steps before the samples are returned to Earth. After collection, the launch vehicle is expected to launch itself and the samples from the landing site into lunar orbit. The launch is expected to take place within about 48 hours of landing. The launch vehicle will have to rendezvous and connect with a spacecraft waiting in lunar orbit. The samples will be transferred to a cell back to Earth, which will be sent at a pre-calculated time. The atmospheric entry chamber will be released prior to its return to Earth, and it is likely that it will land in the steppes of Inner Mongolia.
Scientific importance
The collection and return of soil samples from the South Pole-Aiken Basin is part of a larger plan by China to explore the moon. Dr. Xu Yi, an assistant lecturer at the Macau University of Science and Technology, noted that the samples may provide new insights into volcanic activity on the far side of the moon, as well as information about the moon's inner mantle, its composition and evolution. Understanding the source of the collected materials may also shed light on the early history of our solar system.
China's space program
Chang'e 6 is part of China's broader lunar program, which includes additional missions to the moon's south pole. In the coming years, China plans to launch Shanja 7 and Shanja 8, with the goal of establishing a permanent research station on the moon during the 2030s. China aims to launch its first manned mission to the moon by 2030.
International cooperation
The Changa 6 mission also includes international scientific payloads, including a negative ion surface detection system (NILS) developed by the Swedish Institute of Space Physics, and a radon gas detection instrument from France. In addition, the spacecraft has an Italian passive retro-reflector for laser use.
After Shanja 6, the Shanja 7 mission, expected to launch in 2026, will explore the moon's south pole to identify resources. This mission will also include a mini robot that will explore the surface. In 2028, the Shenja 8 mission will test lunar resource utilization technologies and include a XNUMXD printing experiment to use local resources.
International research station
China and Russia announced in 2021 a plan to establish a joint research station on the moon, and invited other countries and international organizations to join the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) project.
Cheshange 6 marks another stage in China's ambitious plan to explore the moon and bring back unique soil samples, enriching our understanding of the history of the moon and the entire solar system.
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Comments
These Chinese are funny: they wanted to call the spacecraft Challenger, but because they tend to confuse the consonants R and L, they came up with Changa... ?
The Chinese are dealing with the science of technology.
And us?....in wars between camps within the nation, in religion, in yeshiva, in prayers, keeping Shabbat, kosher.
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