Mid-Autumn Festival: China’s Chang’e-6 Mission Unveils Pioneering Retrograde Orbit
As people around the world gaze upon the fullest and brightest moon during this Mid-Autumn Festival, Chinese space engineers have unveiled new designs for the Chang’e-6 mission, highlighting its groundbreaking use of a retrograde orbiting style.
The Chang’e-6 mission made history in June by returning the world’s first samples from the moon’s far side, a feat that also marked the pioneering implementation of retrograde orbiting in lunar exploration.
“The technical challenges were immense,” said Zhang Wu from the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC). “We had to modify an existing Chang’e-5 backup to serve a new purpose.”
The moon’s far side presents a rugged terrain filled with craters, unlike the relatively smooth near side. To adapt to these unique conditions, the Chang’e-6 team employed a retrograde orbiting approach.
“We chose retrograde orbiting to accommodate the lighting conditions on the moon’s far side,” explained Zhang Yuhua of CASC. “For Chang’e-5, which operated north of the moon’s equator, sunlight came from the south. But on the far side, the light comes from the north, posing significant heat control challenges unless we used the retrograde orbit.”
“The use of this orbit was successful, ensuring that sampling was conducted with adequate lighting,” Zhang added.
Named after the legendary Chinese moon goddess, the Chang’e series embodies China’s persistent quest for lunar exploration. The success of Chang’e-6 stands as a testament to the nation’s scientific innovation and technological prowess.
As the Mid-Autumn Festival brings families together under the glow of the moon, China’s advancements in space exploration continue to inspire wonder and pride, not just within China but around the world.
Reference(s):
Mid-Autumn Festival: Space engineers reveal more Chang'e-6 designs
cgtn.com
