China is gearing up for its next ambitious lunar mission, as the country prepares to launch the Chang’e-6 spacecraft to collect samples from the far side of the moon. The Long March 5 rocket, which will carry the spacecraft, was recently transferred to the launch pad at the Wenchang Satellite Launch Center on April 27.
Chang’e-6 is set to land on the far side of the moon and collect up to 2,000 grams of lunar material. The mission follows in the footsteps of previous successful Chinese lunar missions like Chang’e-4 and Chang’e-5. While the launch date has not been officially announced, it is expected to take place on May 3.
The target area for the mission is the southern portion of the Apollo crater on the lunar far side. In addition to Chinese scientific instruments, the spacecraft will carry international payloads from France, Sweden, Italy, and Pakistan. If successful, the mission could provide valuable insights into the moon’s history and the solar system as a whole.
China has set ambitious goals for its space program, including a crewed lunar mission by 2030 and the establishment of a permanent lunar base through the International Lunar Research Station program in the 2030s. The Chang’e-6 mission represents another step forward in China’s efforts to explore and understand the mysteries of the moon. Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting mission.
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