China’s Chang’e-6 probe has successfully departed from the far side of the moon and is now on its way back to Earth, according to China’s national space agency. This significant milestone brings China closer to becoming the first country to retrieve samples from the far side of the moon, which is permanently hidden from Earth. The probe completed its sample collection from June 2-3 and was able to withstand the high temperatures on the moon’s far side. Unlike its predecessor, Chang’e-5, which collected samples from the near side of the moon, Chang’e-6 had the additional challenge of operating without direct communication with Earth’s ground stations.
Instead, the probe utilized the relay satellite Queqiao-2, which was launched into orbit in April, to establish communication.
According to state news agency Xinhua, the probe employed a drill and robotic arm to excavate soil on and beneath the lunar surface.
Beijing Daily reported that Chang’e-6 proudly displayed China’s national flag on the far side of the moon for the first time after collecting samples.
CNSA announced on Tuesday morning that the probe is currently in lunar orbit and will rendezvous with another spacecraft already in orbit.
Afterward, the samples will be transferred to a return module that will journey back to Earth, with an expected landing in China’s Inner Mongolia region around June 25.
The scientific community worldwide is eagerly observing the return of these lunar samples, as they hope that the soil collected by the Chang’e-6 mission can provide insights into the origins of the solar system.