Chinese Probe Delivers Soil From The Far Side Of The Moon For The First Time
For the first time in history, the Chinese lunar probe Chang’e-6 delivered to Earth soil samples collected on the far side of the Moon. This was reported by the China National Space Administration (CNSA).
Previously, no country had explored the side of the Moon that always faces away from Earth.
The mission started on May 3 with the launch of the automatic space station Chang’e-6 aboard the Long March 5 Y8 launch vehicle. Five days later, the station was delivered to lunar orbit and on June 1, the descent and ascent modules made a successful landing in the South Pole-Aitken Basin crater on the far side of the Moon. Communication between CNSA specialists and Chang’e-6 was carried out through the Queqiao-2 relay satellite, which was previously sent into lunar orbit.
Studying lunar soil will help scientists better understand the history of the formation of the Moon itself and the entire solar system. China hopes to send a manned mission to the Moon by 2030.