Posts: 53478 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 05-03-2024 10:35 AM
Please use this topic to discuss China's Chang'e 6 mission to collect and return samples from the far side of the moon.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 53478 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 06-02-2024 06:57 AM
CCTV video
The China National Space Administration released the latest video of the Chang'e-6 probe touching down on the far side of the moon on June 2 [Beijing Time].
The sample drilling and collecting work of China's Chang'e-6 on the far side of the moon has been well underway, said a space expert from China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) on Sunday.
The first batch of data has been sent back from China's Chang'e-6 lander-ascender combination after its successful landing in the designated area of the South Pole-Aitken Basin on the far side of the moon on Sunday morning.
Blackarrow Member
Posts: 3771 From: Belfast, United Kingdom Registered: Feb 2002
posted 06-02-2024 09:41 AM
I imagine Jack Schmitt will be watching this with particular interest.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 53478 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 06-04-2024 04:28 AM
CCTV video
The China National Space Administration (CNSA) on Tuesday unveiled four images of the moon's far side taken by the Chang'e-6 probe, including three taken during its landing and one from the panoramic camera capturing the landing site.
China's Chang'e-6 probe successfully completed sampling from the moon's far side on Monday, an unprecedented feat in human lunar exploration history.
The ascender of China's Chang'e-6 probe lifted off from lunar surface on Tuesday morning, carrying samples collected from the moon's far side, an unprecedented feat in human lunar exploration history.
GACspaceguy Member
Posts: 3121 From: Guyton, GA Registered: Jan 2006
posted 06-04-2024 05:49 AM
That is really impressive.
damnyankee36 Member
Posts: 75 From: Alamogordo, NM USA Registered: Aug 2017
posted 06-04-2024 11:20 AM
They sure went to a lot of trouble to actually "fly" a flag instead of displaying the usual flag decal like I've seen us do.
Has China done this before on their lunar landers?
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 53478 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 06-04-2024 02:50 PM
They did the same on Chang'e-5 (you can see a photo in this thread), but according to CNSA, "due to the different landing location on the moon, the Chang'e-6 national flag display system has been adaptively improved on the basis of the Chang'e-5 mission."
posted 06-20-2024 08:05 AM
Is there any update to this mission? Very interesting to follow what the Chinese all do to develop their space capabilities.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 53478 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 06-20-2024 10:02 AM
China has not released any more information since June 6, when it confirmed that the orbiter and returner (reentry capsule) was on its way back to Earth.
Unofficially, analysts monitoring the mission have said that the return capsule is expected to land in Siziwang Banner, Inner Mongolia, between 0541 and 0611 GMT on June 25 (1:41 a.m. and 2:11 a.m. EDT).
posted 06-25-2024 01:51 AM
Thank you. Yes, I learned that the capsule landed safely earlier today. Interesting shape of the return capsule: semi scale Soyus I'd call it.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 53478 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 06-25-2024 08:52 AM
It was the same design of capsule used on Chang'e-5, but yes, it does resemble a scaled down Soyuz or Shenzhou descent module.
CCTV video
The returner of the Chang'e-6 probe touched down on Earth on Tuesday, bringing back the world's first samples collected from the moon's far side.
China's Chang'e-6 probe has made history after completing its 53-day mission on Tuesday, becoming the first spacecraft to successfully retrieve and return precious samples from the mysterious far side of the Moon and bringing mankind closer to understanding our enigmatic celestial neighbor.
China's Chang'e 6 lunar probe, which returned to the Earth on Tuesday afternoon, will be transported back to the capital city of Beijing, after undergoing preliminary examination and shipment preparation.
Tom Member
Posts: 1755 From: New York Registered: Nov 2000
posted 07-03-2024 09:14 AM
I remember during the Apollo program, lunar samples were shared with several countries for research as well as display.
Do you know if the same could be said for these samples?
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 53478 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 07-03-2024 09:41 AM
Ge Ping, deputy director of the China National Space Administration's Lunar Exploration and Space Engineering Center, told the press and international scientists will have access to Chang'e-6 samples as was the case with Chang'e-5.
Based on the lunar sample management rules released by the CNSA and the experience in dealing with the applications for lunar samples collected by the Chang'e-5 mission, applications for the Chang'e-6 samples are expected to open to domestic research institutions and scientists in about six months, Ge said.
Regarding international applications, Ge noted that China has always maintained a positive and open attitude and China welcomes scientists from all countries to submit applications in accordance with relevant procedures.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 53478 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 10-17-2024 09:03 PM
From reporter Andrew Jones at the International Astronautical Congress (IAC) in Milan, Italy (via X):
Sample from far side of the Moon from China's Chang'e-6 mission on display at IAC.
Chang'e-6 samples: lighter than CE-5 samples and comparatively lower density. Also has a lower olivine content and analysis suggests CE-6 sample area has seen greater mixing, with more material delivered from other areas.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 53478 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 11-12-2024 08:03 AM
Xinhua state news agency release
Chang'e-6 lunar samples displayed at 15th Airshow China
China's Chang'e-6 mission lunar samples, collected from the far side of the moon, are showcased at the 15th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition on Monday, according to the China National Space Administration (CNSA).
The lunar soil on display, weighing approximately 75 mg, represents the first public welfare samples from Chang'e-6. It was collected from the largest, deepest and oldest impact crater on the far side of the moon, where the lunar crust is at its thinnest.
Visitors to the event will be able to view the samples up close. "The lunar samples are expected to draw significant public interest," said Zhang Tao, an official with the CNSA.
The exhibition also features the Chang'e 6 return capsule, the parachute that delivered the lunar samples to Earth, and the sealed container used for the lunar soil collection.
China's Chang'e-6 mission brought back 1,935.3 grams of samples from the far side of the moon in June, the first time in human history. The samples hold unique scientific significance as they will further enhance the understanding of lunar evolution, accelerate the pace of peaceful exploration and utilization of lunar resources, and serve as an important asset for all humanity.
The event, also known as Airshow China, is scheduled for Nov. 12-17 in Zhuhai, a city in south China's Guangdong Province. Since its inception in 1996, it has become an important window for showcasing advanced aviation and aerospace technologies and equipment from home and abroad.
posted 05-03-2024 10:35 AM
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