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China's Chang'e-6 Successfully Lands on Moon's Far Side, South Pole-Aitken Basin for Sample Return

Jun 2, 2024, 04:51 AM

China's Chang'e-6 lunar probe successfully landed on the far side of the moon, marking a significant milestone in space exploration. The landing occurred at 22:23 UTC on June 1, 2024, in the South Pole-Aitken Basin, specifically within the impact crater Apollo Basin. This mission aims to collect samples from the lunar surface and return them to Earth. The China National Space Administration (CNSA) announced that the lander-ascender combination has started drilling for samples. This is China's fourth successful lunar landing and the second-ever landing on the moon's far side. The mission is part of China's broader lunar exploration program, which includes future plans to send astronauts to the moon. Footage of the landing and descent has been released, showcasing the high level of automation involved in the mission. The landing was reported by state media, and the first photo has been released.