China’s Next Lunar Mission, Chang’e 6, is set to launch in 2024 with the aim of collecting samples from the far side of the Moon.
Simulation of the Chang’e 5 lander operating on the Moon. Image: CGTN
In the Chang’e 6 mission, the lander will bring back samples from the Moon’s far side to Earth while carrying instruments from the European Space Agency (ESA) and Pakistan, as reported by SCMP on September 29.
The China National Space Administration (CNSA) also announced on the social media platform Weibo on September 29 that the Queqiao 2 relay satellite will be launched into space in the first half of 2024. This satellite plays a crucial role in maintaining communication between Earth and the Moon lander. The lander will touch down on the Moon’s far side, which never faces Earth.
“Previous 10 lunar sampling missions in human history were all on the near side of the Moon. The far side is relatively older and has the South Pole-Aitken Basin, one of the three major lunar basins with the potential to bring valuable research,” said CNSA. The main purpose of the mission is to explore and collect lunar samples from various regions and ages to further understand this celestial body.
“To enhance international cooperation, Chang’e 6 mission will carry cargo and satellites from four countries,” CNSA stated. Among them is equipment produced by France to detect radon gas emissions, ESA’s ion probe, Italy’s laser corner reflector for radar system calibration, and Pakistan’s small square-shaped CubeSat satellite. “China is accelerating the international lunar research station project and hopes to have more international partners involved,” CNSA shared.
The Chang’e 6 mission aims to collect 1-2 kg of lunar soil and rocks. Following Chang’e 6, the Chang’e 7 spacecraft will land in the Moon’s southern polar region. Its mission includes searching for signs of ice, investigating the lunar environment and weather in the region, and surveying the terrain. Chang’e 8, the final mission in the Chang’e series, is expected to explore resources near the lunar south pole and establish a research station.