|
WG3K > ANS 05.05.24 05:03l 38 Lines 3096 Bytes #55 (0) @ AMSAT
BID : $ANS126.2
Read: GUEST
Subj: Chang'e-6 Successfully Launches: China's Historic Lunar Miss
Path: IZ3LSV<DB0ERF<DK0WUE<DK0WUE<N2NOV<KA1VSC<WG3K
Sent: 240505/0256Z 3921@WG3K.#SMD.MD.USA.NOAM LinBPQ6.0.24
China's Chang'e-6 mission embarked on its historic journey on May 3rd, launching aboard a Long March 5 rocket from the Wenchang
Satellite Launch Center on Hainan Island, China. This mission aims to retrieve samples from the far side of the Moon, a feat n
ever before achieved. The spacecraft is set to undergo a 53-day voyage to the Moon and back, where it will collect lunar soil a
nd rocks, offering invaluable insights into the Moon's ancient history.
The mission targets the Moon's South Pole-Aitken (SPA) basin, a region of particular interest due to its potential to unveil cr
ucial information about the Moon's past. This basin, formed by an ancient impact, holds clues about the events that shaped both
the Moon and Earth billions of years ago, providing an opportunity to understand the differences between the near and far side
s of the Moon.
[https://www.amsat.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Change-6-Spacecra...]https://www.amsat.org/wordpress/wp-content/upl
oads/2024/05/Change-6-Spacecraft-in-Lunar-Orbit.jpg
Rendering of Chang'e-6 Spacecraft in Lunar Orbit. [Credit: Chinese National Space Agency (CNSA)]
Unlike previous lunar missions, which primarily focused on the near side, Chang'e-6 will explore the challenging terrain of the
far side. Landing and communicating on this side of the Moon require sophisticated technology, including communications relay
satellites. China, having achieved the first successful lunar far-side landing in 2019 with Chang'e-4, now endeavors to bring b
ack samples from this uncharted territory.
The Chang'e-6 spacecraft is comprised of four components: an orbiter, lander, ascender, and reentry module. Upon reaching lunar
orbit, the lander and ascender will descend to the Moon's surface, collect approximately 2 kilograms (4.4 pounds) of lunar mat
erial using specialized tools, and return to lunar orbit. The orbiter will then carry the samples back to Earth, releasing the
reentry module into the atmosphere for a soft landing.
[https://www.amsat.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Change-6-Planned-...]https://www.amsat.org/wordpress/wp-content/upl
oads/2024/05/Change-6-Planned-Lunar-Landing-Site.jpg
Chang'e-6 Spacecraft's Landing Site on the Moon's SPA Basin. [Credit: Chinese National Space Agency (CNSA)]
During its 53-day mission, Chang'e-6 will communicate with Earth through the Queqiao-2 relay satellite, which features a large
parabolic antenna. This communication link will enable scientists to monitor and control the mission's progress and ensure the
safe return of valuable lunar samples.
The scientific significance of Chang'e-6 extends beyond lunar exploration. The samples it retrieves will shed light on the Sola
r System's tumultuous past, particularly the Late Heavy Bombardment period around 3.9 billion years ago. By studying the SPA ba
sin's age and composition, scientists hope to discern the origins of this event and its implications for Earth's history and th
e potential for life elsewhere in the universe.
[ANS thanks Jason Davis, The Planetary Society, for the above information
Read previous mail | Read next mail
| |