China has taken another significant step in space exploration as lunar samples collected from the far side of the moon during China’s Chang’e-6 mission have been successfully transferred to a re-entry vehicle, paving the way for their journey back to Earth. At 3:24 p.m. Beijing Time (0724 GMT) on Thursday, the transfer was completed, according to the China National Space Administration (CNSA).
This milestone marks the second time that China has achieved an unmanned rendezvous and docking in lunar orbit. The ascender of the Chang’e-6 lunar probe, carrying the precious moon samples, performed an autonomous rendezvous and docking with the orbiter-returner combination in lunar orbit. This follows the groundbreaking success of the Chang’e-5 mission in 2020, underscoring China’s growing prowess in space technology.
According to CNSA, the ascender made four orbital adjustments after launching from the moon’s surface on Thursday. As it approached the orbiter-returner combination, the combo autonomously moved to dock with the ascender. At 2:48 p.m. Beijing Time (0648 GMT), three K-shaped grappling mechanisms on the orbiter successfully gripped the corresponding three connection rods on the ascender, completing the docking process.
The CNSA described the process as “automatic rendezvous and docking,” highlighting the sophistication of the technology involved. This achievement not only demonstrates China’s advanced capabilities in unmanned space operations but also contributes valuable data and samples for lunar research, which could have significant implications for our understanding of the moon’s composition and history.
The successful transfer of the lunar samples marks a critical phase of the Chang’e-6 mission as the re-entry vehicle prepares to bring them back to Earth. This mission builds upon China’s ongoing lunar exploration program, which aims to facilitate scientific discoveries and potentially pave the way for future manned missions to the moon.
By continuing to push the boundaries of space exploration, China is contributing to the global understanding of our celestial neighbor and inspiring interest in science and technology among people worldwide.
Reference(s):
China's Chang'e-6 mission: Moon samples reach re-entry vehicle
cgtn.com
