China’s Chang’e-6 Spacecraft to Explore Lunar Far Side with Undisclosed Rover
China’s Chang’e-6 spacecraft has made headlines with the revelation of a previously undisclosed lunar rover as part of its ambitious far side exploration plans. The mission, conducted by the China Academy of Space Technology (CAST), aims to bring back the first-ever samples from the lunar far side.
Originally planned as a backup to the 2020 Chang’e-5 nearside sample return mission, Chang’e-6 has been repurposed for a more ambitious far side sampling mission. The spacecraft now includes new international payloads and an additional rover, unlike its predecessor.
The rover is rumored to carry an infrared imaging spectrometer for analyzing the composition of lunar rocks and soil. However, it remains unclear how the rover will descend to the surface or communicate with the lander.
China has a history of surprising the world with unexpected spacecraft on missions, as seen with the Tianwen-1 Mars mission. Now, with the Chang’e-6 mission, the spacecraft is set to enter lunar orbit late Tuesday Eastern time, with a planned landing in early June.
Sampling operations are expected to conclude within 48 hours of landing, with samples scheduled to be sent back to Earth around June 25. These samples could potentially provide new insights into the Earth, moon, and the early solar system, making this mission one to watch for space enthusiasts around the globe.
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