China prepares to launch probe for sample collection on far side of the moon
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In a groundbreaking endeavor, China is poised to launch a probe to gather samples from the far side of the Moon, marking a significant milestone in its ambitious space program.
The mission, scheduled for Friday, involves the deployment of the Chang'e-6 lunar probe from the Wenchang Space Launch Center in Hainan province.
This mission represents China's latest stride in its space exploration efforts, which have drawn attention and caution from international observers, particularly the United States. The Chang'e-6 probe is designed to collect approximately two kilograms of lunar samples from the far side of the Moon and transport them back to Earth for detailed analysis.
Ge Ping, vice director of China's Lunar Exploration and Space Engineering Center, emphasized the significance of this mission during a press briefing. He highlighted that the probe will land in the vast South Pole-Aitken Basin, a prominent impact crater on the Moon's far side, reported AFP.
The Chang'e-6 mission is not only technologically complex but also symbolizes China's commitment to advancing its space capabilities under President Xi Jinping's leadership. Over the past decade, China has made substantial investments in its space program, aiming to narrow the gap with established space powers like the United States and Russia.
China's space achievements include the construction of the Tiangong space station and successful missions to Mars and the Moon. The country's long-term goals include sending astronauts to the Moon by 2030 and establishing a lunar base.
Meanwhile, the United States is also pursuing its lunar exploration objectives, with plans to return astronauts to the Moon by 2026 under the Artemis program. However, the rapid progress of China's space program has prompted concerns in Washington, with NASA expressing the view that certain aspects of China's space activities may have military implications.
The Chang'e-6 mission represents the first in a series of planned lunar missions by China, with future missions aimed at exploring the Moon's south pole for water and assessing the feasibility of establishing a lunar research station. Scientists anticipate that the samples collected by Chang'e-6 will provide valuable insights into the Moon's geological history, shedding light on its formation and evolution.