Achieving a major milestone in space exploration, China has successfully landed its Chang'e-6 mission on the far side of the Moon for the second time. The mission aims to collect rock samples from the oldest lunar basin and return them to Earth.
The China National Space Administration (CNSA) announced that the Chang'e-6 lander successfully landed in the northeastern part of the South Pole-Aitken Basin on June 2 at 6:23 AM Beijing time.
Far Side of the Moon
In its statement, CNSA said, "This mission has achieved technical breakthroughs, including lunar retrograde orbit design and control technology. With the support of Queqiao-2, it will complete critical tasks such as intelligent, rapid sampling and take-off from the far side of the Moon."
Payload on Chang'e-6 Lander
The statement further mentioned, "The payloads on the Chang'e-6 lander will operate according to the plan and conduct scientific exploration. International instruments, including those developed by the European Space Agency to detect negative ions on the lunar surface and outgassing radon from France, will soon be operational. The Italian passive laser retro-reflector has also been deployed."
Lander to Undergo Initial Checks
According to reports, the lander will soon undergo initial checks and start drilling and collecting samples from the lunar surface using its robotic arm. The samples are expected to weigh up to 2 kilograms (4.4 pounds).
In a report by the South China Morning Post, Beijing-based geochemist Yang Wei from the Institute of Geology and Geophysics, who studied the Chang'e-5 lunar samples, said, "My colleagues and I are very excited. I hope this mission will be fully successful and make history."
Over 100,000 People Gathered
Chang'e-6, named after the Chinese Moon goddess, was launched on May 3 from the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site in the southern island province of Hainan. Despite rainy conditions, over 100,000 people gathered on nearby beaches to watch the launch, reported China's state broadcaster CCTV.
Entering Lunar Orbit
Four days after its launch, the spacecraft entered lunar orbit. Weighing 8.35 tons, the spacecraft consists of a lander, an ascender, an orbiter, and a return capsule.
Objective Questions for Competitive Exams
Q.1. What is the primary goal of the Chang'e-6 mission?
a) Establishing human settlements on the Moon
b) Collecting rock samples from the far side of the Moon
c) Taking pictures of the lunar surface
Answer: b) Collecting rock samples from the far side of the Moon
Q.2. When did the Chang'e-6 mission land?
a) June 1
b) June 2
c) June 3
Answer: b) June 2
Q.3. How much does the Chang'e-6 lander weigh?
a) 7.35 tons
b) 8.35 tons
c) 9.35 tons
Answer: b) 8.35 tons
Q.4. With whose support will the Chang'e-6 mission collect samples from the far side of the Moon?
a) Lunar orbiter
b) Queqiao-2
c) Lunar rover
Answer: b) Queqiao-2
Q.5. How much weight of samples is the Chang'e-6 mission expected to collect?
a) 1 kilogram
b) 2 kilograms
c) 3 kilograms
Answer: b) 2 kilograms
