China launches Chang’e-6 probe to the Moon – Astrobitácora

Last Friday, May 3, China launched the Chang’e-6 probe to the far side of the Moon. If there are no surprises, he will land there and collect samples that he will return to our planet. This will allow us to better understand the differences between the two hemispheres of our satellite…

The Chang’e-6 probe is another step in China’s space exploration

China is making progress in its increasingly sophisticated space program. Now, according to many, it competes with the United States for leadership in space. In addition, the Asian giant now has a manned space station, which currently houses three Chinese astronauts. The country’s goal is to be able to send people to the moon by 2030. Over the next four years, if all this is not enough, four missions are planned that will send even more probes to the Moon.

Far from Earth’s influence and other interference, the Moon’s still-mysterious far side is ideal for radio astronomy and other scientific research. However, it has an additional problem: since this hemisphere is never pointed at our planet, it is necessary to have a communications satellite that acts as an intermediate point. The launch happened without any major surprises. About 35 minutes after takeoff (from the Wenchang Satellite Launch Center on Hainan Island), Chang’e 6 separated from the rocket.

Soon after, it was announced that the launch was an absolute success. The Philippine Space Agency, for its part, said the remains of the rocket should fall where it was designed. Recall that in 2021, China was forced to explain its control of its missiles after one of the phases disintegrated uncontrollably over the Indian Ocean after its return to Earth. The NASA administrator (among others) accused Beijing of acting dangerously by not conducting a controlled reentry.

Large-scale launch

The launch attracted a large number of people to the shores of Hainan. They were able to witness the takeoff, taking advantage of the fact that it occurred in the midst of the five-day May Day holiday in China. Like previous episodes, it was broadcast by the state video surveillance network. Having reached the Moon, it will enter its orbit and the landing module will separate from the ship. In 48 hours, it will descend to the lunar surface and collect soil samples using its robotic arm. After this, the second part of the mission will begin.

The samples will be sealed in a container and the lander will connect with a return probe back to Earth. The entire mission will last 53 days from start to finish. In 2020, China has already managed to bring samples of the visible side of the Moon. This was the first time this has been achieved since the former Soviet Union did it in 1976. Analysis of these samples revealed that the small pearls embedded in lunar dust contained water. In addition, just a few days ago, three astronauts were returning to the planet after six months at the Tiangong space station.

The country built its own space station after being excluded from the International Space Station. Mainly due to US concerns about complete military control of China’s space program. Something that arises in the midst of technological competition between both countries. US law effectively prohibits any cooperation between American and Chinese space programs without explicit congressional approval. This restricted Chinese movement.

China faces many restrictions

China has expanded cooperation with other countries and agencies. As part of this mission, the Chang’e-6 probe carries scientific instruments from France, Italy and the European Space Agency (in collaboration with Sweden). A small Pakistani satellite also traveled on the rocket. In addition to aiming to send astronauts to the Moon in 2030, China also wants to return samples from Mars the same year and launch three lunar probes in the next four years. The next mission is planned for 2027. In the longer term, there is also talk of a moon base.

However, it appears to be in the conceptual stage at the moment. China has come a long way since its first manned mission in 2003. Then it became the third country after the Soviet Union and the United States to send a man into space on its own. In 2021, it launched the Tiangong station, consisting of three modules and smaller in size than the International Space Station, which completed construction 18 months later. The station can accommodate up to six astronauts and is designed for scientific research.

The crew will soon install space debris defenses and conduct various experiments. China also said that sooner or later it hopes to open access to the station to foreign astronauts, as well as space tourists. The International Space Station is approaching the end of its life, so it is possible that China will become the only country with a manned station in orbit. We’ll see what happens in the coming years, but the space race between the United States and China appears to be well underway.

References: Physics