(Xinhua/Jin Liwang)
BEIJING, June 4 (Xinhua) — The ascent module of China’s Chang’e-6 probe lifted off from the lunar surface Tuesday morning, carrying samples collected on the far side of the Moon, a feat unprecedented in the history of lunar exploration by humans.
The ascent module entered a pre-established orbit around the Moon, indicated the China National Space Administration (CNSA).
The Chang’e-6 probe, which like its predecessor, Chang’e-5, comprises an orbiter, a lunar landing module, an ascent module and a return module, was launched on May 3. Its combination landing and ascent modules touched down at the designated area in the South Pole-Aitken Basin on June 2.
The spacecraft finished its clever and quick sampling work and then stored the samples in a container inside the probe’s ascent module as planned, the CNSA said.
During the collection and packaging of the samples, the researchers carried out a simulated operation in a laboratory on Earth, based on the detection data sent by the Queqiao-2 relay satellite, providing important decision support. and operations in all steps.
“The mission has withstood the test of high temperatures on the far side of the Moon,” the entity highlighted.
The mission adopted two sampling methods, namely using a drill to collect subsurface samples and collecting material present on the surface with a robotic arm. The samples were collected automatically in different places.
The multiple payloads installed on the lunar landing module, including a lunar landing camera, a panoramic camera, a lunar soil structure detector and a lunar mineral spectrum analyzer, functioned optimally and carried out scientific exploration as it was. planned, the CNSA stressed.
The lunar soil structure detector analyzed and determined the underground structure of the lunar soil in the sampling area, providing reference data for drilling for samples.
After completing the sampling, a Chinese national flag carried by the lunar landing module was displayed for the first time on the far side of the Moon.
Unlike takeoff on Earth, the ascent module could not be supported by a launch tower system, so the landing module acted as a temporary “launch pad.”
The launch of the Chang’e-6 ascent module from the far side of the Moon cannot copy that of Chang’e-5 from the near side of the satellite, since it cannot directly receive control and support from the Earth. For this reason, it used its special sensors to achieve autonomous positioning and orientation, with the help of Queqiao-2 for communication.
Compared with Chang’e-5, Chang’e-6 has improved autonomy and reliability of the navigation, guidance and control system, aiming to meet the challenges posed by the uncertainties of the far side. of the Moon during its takeoff and ascent, explained Qiao Dezhi, an expert at the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC).
Chang’e-6’s control system has also been upgraded to improve its autonomy, allowing it to complete lunar takeoff and ascent with reduced reliance on the Queqiao-2 relay satellite and support from Earth, Huang noted. Hao, another CASC space expert.
(Xinhua/Jin Liwang)
