China’s ambitious Chang’e-6 lunar mission is set to make history by landing in the Apollo Craters region on the far side of the moon. This area, steeped in cosmic history, holds keys to unraveling the mysteries of the moon’s evolution.
Giuseppe Reibaldi, president of the Moon Village Association, highlighted the mission’s significance and the technological hurdles it faces during an interview with CGTN. “Establishing reliable communication with a spacecraft operating on the far side of the moon is a chief challenge,” he explained. “The varied altitude changes and rugged terrain of the target landing region increase the difficulty of launching from the lunar surface.”
Despite these challenges, Reibaldi emphasized the importance of the mission. “The area is crucial to understand the moon’s evolution,” he said. The Apollo Craters region may provide unprecedented insights into lunar geology and the history of our solar system.
The Chang’e-6 mission continues China’s series of lunar explorations, following the successes of Chang’e-4, which achieved the first soft landing on the moon’s far side, and Chang’e-5, which brought lunar samples back to Earth. The upcoming mission underscores China’s growing capabilities and ambitions in space exploration.
The success of Chang’e-6 could pave the way for future explorations and possibly establish a foothold for increased international collaboration in lunar science. As the world watches, China’s endeavor may bring humanity one step closer to unlocking the secrets of the moon.
Reference(s):
Expert: China's Chang'e-6 vital to understanding moon evolution
cgtn.com
