On May 3, 2024, the Long March 5 rocket carrying the lunar probe of the Chang’e 6 mission lifted off in the rain from the Wenchang Space Launch Center in Hainan Province, southern China.
Hector Retamal | AFP | Getty Images
China launched a space probe on Friday to collect samples from the far side of the moon, a mission described as “unprecedented” as the global space race heats up.
At around 5:30 pm local time, the unmanned rocket carrying the Chang’e-6 lunar probe took off from the Wenchang Space Launch Center in Hainan Province, starting a 53-day mission.
The goal of the expedition is to bring about 5 pounds of lunar samples back to Earth for analysis. If successful, scientists hope the findings will unlock new information about the moon’s origins.
“Collecting and returning samples from the far side of the moon is an unprecedented feat,” Wu Weiren, chief designer of China’s lunar exploration project, said, according to China’s state news agency. Xinhua News Agency.
Currently, scientists know very little about the far side of the moon. If the Chang’e-6 mission can achieve its goal, it will provide scientists with the first direct evidence to understand the environment and material composition on the far side of the moon, which is of great significance.
The launch marks a major step forward for China’s space exploration ambitions as it seeks to compete with other global powers, including the United States.
Beijing has also said it hopes to land Chinese astronauts on the moon by 2030 and launch probes to the moon. Mars and Jupiter.
Space is emerging as a new geopolitical frontier as adversarial nations seek to expand their influence and gain access to highly sought-after supplies of metals and critical minerals.
Gen. Stephen Whiting, commander of U.S. Space Command, said last week Beijing’s space development is advancing at an “alarming pace” and the country has shown a “clear intention” to project power in orbit.
About The Author
