What To Know
- As a reminder, the Chinese Chang’e 4 mission had already paved the way by landing on this far side in 2019 to probe its environment.
- The Chang’e 6 lander will now spend several days at collect samples of soil and rocks on the surface and at a depth of two meters.
- As a reminder, the near side of the Moon is marked by vast volcanic plains called “Maria,” while the far side has much less.
China has once again made history in space exploration by landing on the mysterious far side of the Moon. The Chang’e 6 robotic mission successfully landed in the Apollo Crater, located in the South Pole-Aitken Basin, this Sunday. But why is this mission so important?
A daring mission
So far, all missions lunar sample collection missions have focused on the visible side of this star, which is more accessible. The Chang’e 6 mission aims to bring back samples from the far side of our satellite, which would be a world first if successful. As a reminder, the Chinese Chang’e 4 mission had already paved the way by landing on this far side in 2019 to probe its environment. The Chang’e 6 lander will now spend several days at collect samples of soil and rocks on the surface and at a depth of two meters. These samples will be sent into lunar orbit by an ascent vehicle where they will be recovered by the mission’s orbiter, still around the Moon. Everything will return to Earth and should land by parachute. next June 25th.
Diagram showing the different phases of the Chang’e 6 lunar sample return mission. Credits: CNSA
What scientific repercussions?
Scientists will then analyze these samples to discover valuable information on the history and evolution of the Moon. Specifically, these samples could contain different materials than those found on the near side, which will help us understand the geological processes that shaped both sides of the Moon. As a reminder, the near side of the Moon is marked by vast volcanic plains called “Maria,” while the far side has much less. In addition, the far side of the Moon has a thicker crust, so these samples could provide data that can explain these differences. They could also reveal traces of meteorite impacts, which would help us understand the frequency and intensity of collisions in the past. This research could also provide information on local magnetic fields, providing insights into the magnetic history of the Moon. The samples could even contain traces of the past lunar atmosphere. By analyzing the chemical and mineralogical composition, scientists could better understand how the Moon separated into its crust, mantle, and core. It may also provide clues to theories of moon formation, such as the giant impact hypothesis. In short, the samples collected by Chang’e 6 will provide a unique opportunity to discover unknown aspects of the Moon. They will improve our understanding of the Moon’s geological, volcanic and climatic history, while helping to solve mysteries about the differences between its two faces. This information will be crucial not only for basic science, but also for preparing future manned missions and for the potential use of lunar resources.
