China's Chang'e-6 lunar module successfully landed in China's northern Inner Mongolia region, marking the completion of its historic mission to collect the first-ever samples from the far side of the moon. The reentry module touched down via parachute to a round of applause in the control room, after which a search team quickly located it. The module is expected to have returned with up to 2 kilograms of moon dust and rocks from the lunar far side, which will be analyzed by researchers in China before being made accessible to international scientists.
The samples were collected using a drill and robotic arm from the South Pole-Aitken basin on the moon's far side, an impact crater formed some 4 billion years ago. The mission is a significant milestone in China's space program, aligning with the country's goal to establish itself as a dominant space power. China plans to send astronauts to the moon by 2030 and build a research base at the lunar south pole, where resources like water ice are believed to be present.
Scientists are eager to analyze the samples as they could provide valuable insights into the evolution of the moon, Earth, and the solar system. The far side of the moon has long intrigued scientists due to its unique geological features, different from the side facing Earth. The samples collected by Chang'e-6 could offer clues about the moon's early history and aid in future space exploration endeavors.
While the primary focus of the mission is scientific research, experts believe that the analysis of the samples could also advance efforts to utilize lunar resources for construction and fuel production. Lunar soil could potentially be used for 3-D printing and extracting gases like Helium-3, oxygen, and hydrogen to support further lunar exploration.
China's successful lunar missions have spurred other countries to intensify their own space exploration efforts. The US, India, Japan, and Russia have all made significant strides in lunar exploration, with plans for future missions to the moon. China's ambitions to establish a lunar research station and send astronauts to the moon have set the stage for a new era of space exploration and collaboration.
