At the Chinese Lunar Sample Laboratory in Beijing, anticipation is building as scientists prepare to analyze the world’s first lunar samples collected from the moon’s far side.
These rare samples were obtained during the Chang’e-6 mission and have recently been transferred to a re-entry vehicle, as confirmed by the China National Space Administration (CNSA).
On Thursday, the ascender of the Chang’e-6 lunar probe successfully performed an unmanned rendezvous and docking with the orbiter-returner combination in lunar orbit. This marks the second time China has achieved such a complex maneuver, following the groundbreaking success of the Chang’e-5 mission in 2020.
The Lunar Sample Laboratory, part of the National Astronomical Observatories (NAOC), is meticulously prepared to handle these precious samples. The facility includes a room designated for unsealing the new samples, a middle room for those collected by the Chang’e-5 mission, and an innermost room reserved for the Chang’e-6 samples.
Scientists are eager to begin their analysis, which is expected to provide unprecedented insights into the composition and history of the moon’s far side. The data gathered could have significant implications for our understanding of lunar geology and the broader history of the solar system.
The successful collection and return of these samples not only represents a milestone for China’s lunar exploration program but also contributes valuable knowledge to the global scientific community.
Reference(s):
Chinese scientists set to explore first samples from moon's far side
cgtn.com
