Components for China’s upcoming Chang’e-6 lunar far side sample return mission have recently arrived at the Wenchang spaceport, marking another significant development in China’s ambitious space exploration program. Scheduled to launch in May this year, the Chang’e-6 mission is set to build on the success of the Chang’e-5 mission that took place in 2020.
The main objective of the Chang’e-6 mission is to collect lunar material from the far side of the moon, specifically targeting a landing in the Apollo crater. The spacecraft aims to gather a substantial 2,000 grams of material, providing crucial insights into the composition of the lunar far side and shedding light on the history of the moon and the solar system.
Given the logistical challenges of direct communication with the far side of the moon, the Chang’e-6 mission will rely on the support of a relay satellite known as Queqiao-2. This satellite is expected to launch in the coming months and will enable seamless communication between the spacecraft and mission control on Earth.
A distinctive aspect of the Chang’e-6 mission is the involvement of international collaboration. The spacecraft will carry payloads from various countries, including France and Sweden, highlighting the global interest and recognition of China’s space exploration efforts. Additionally, the lunar samples collected by Chang’e-6 will initially be available to Chinese scientists but will later be shared with international researchers.
China’s lunar exploration program is part of its broader goal to establish a permanent lunar base by the 2030s as part of the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) program. The ILRS aims to attract partners, and several countries and organizations have already joined this initiative. Notably, both China and NASA have overlapping interests in the lunar south pole, where the ILRS will be constructed.
Looking ahead, China has planned the Chang’e-7 and Chang’e-8 missions for 2026 and 2028, respectively. These missions will play a crucial role in furthering the establishment of the ILRS and contribute to our collective understanding of the moon and its resources.
With the arrival of components for the Chang’e-6 mission at the Wenchang spaceport, China’s continuous progress in space exploration remains evident. As China’s space program advances, the world eagerly awaits the exciting discoveries and scientific breakthroughs that these missions will bring, fostering greater international collaboration in the pursuit of lunar exploration and research.
