China launches rocket on the Chang'e-6 mission from the Wenchang Space Base

Published at: 03/05/2024 08:31 AM

This Friday, the People's Republic of China launched the Long March 5 Y8 carrier rocket from the takeoff platform of the Wenchang Space Launch Center, located on the southern island of Hainan; the vehicle transports the Chang'e-6 probe to the far side of the Moon.

The purpose of the unmanned mission, called Chang'e-6 (in honor of the Chinese goddess of the Moon), is to bring regolith samples back to Earth from the part of the natural satellite that cannot be observed from our planet, Russia Today (RT) detailed.

If the mission is successful, the People's Republic will become the first country in history to achieve such a feat. Scientists hope that the recovery of material from the dark side of the Moon, barely explored, will provide valuable information about the origin and evolution of the Earth-Moon system.

Chang'e 6 is part of the fourth phase of the Chinese lunar exploration program. According to state media, like its predecessor (Chang'e 5), it will consist of an orbiter and a lander, as well as an ascent module and a re-entry module.

Mazo News Team