Beijing: China’s space mission has achieved great success on Sunday. The Chang’e-6 moon lander, launched on May 3, made a successful landing on the dark side of the moon on Sunday morning after almost a month. This landing is considered very important for China’s moon mission.
Through this, China wants to become the first country to bring samples from the dark side of the moon. According to China’s space agency, the Chang’e-6 lander landed in the South Pole-Aitken Basin of the Moon. From here it will start collecting samples of the lunar surface.
Will bring 2 kg of samples from the moon
This is China’s most difficult moon mission so far. However, China’s lander has previously landed on the far side of the moon. For the first time, China did this in 2019 through its Chang’e-4 mission.
According to news agency Reuters, with the success of Chang E-6, China can overtake America and other countries in building a base on the moon. If everything goes as expected, the lander will bring 2 kg of samples from the surface of the moon. To take samples, the lander has been fitted with a mechanical arm to drill and dig and then lift the debris.
The sample will be placed on the topmost part of the lander. After this, another spacecraft will be sent to this part of the moon and the lander will be brought back to Earth. Its landing will take place in Mongolia around June 25.
Why is it difficult to reach the far side of the moon?
Landing on this part of the moon is more difficult than other parts. The reason for this is that this part of the moon is dark, it is rough. Due to this, contact is difficult here and landing is difficult.
Why does China want samples?
China has to send astronauts to the moon by 2030. China wants to build a research base on the south pole of the moon. According to experts, the samples that the Chang’e-6 lander will bring will provide clues related to the formation and development of the moon, earth and the solar system. This data will be used in China’s upcoming moon missions.
In 2020, China’s Chang’e-5 also returned with 1.7 kg of samples from the moon. However, these samples were taken from Oceanus Procellarum, an area near the moon. China is preparing for 3 more moon missions. Through these, water will be discovered on the moon and a permanent base will be built.
China is planning to send astronauts to the moon by 2030. This has started the space race again in the world. America is also trying to send astronauts to the moon by 2026 under NASA’s Artemis-3 mission.