China Launches Probe To Collect Samples From Far Side Of Moon

Beijing: China’s ambitious space program has taken a historic leap forward with the successful launch of the Chang’e lunar probe on Friday. This mission aims to achieve a groundbreaking first: collecting and returning rock and soil samples from the far side of the moon.

The Chang’e lunar exploration probe, named after the Chinese mythical moon goddess, embarked on its journey atop a Long March-5 YB rocket from the Wenchang launch centre in Hainan province.

This mission marks yet another stride in China’s space program, which has seen notable achievements such as landing a rover on the moon’s far side in 2019, a feat previously unaccomplished by any other nation.

The lunar far side, shielded from Earth and external interference, presents an ideal environment for scientific exploration, particularly in radio astronomy. However, maintaining communication necessitates a relay satellite due to the far side’s perpetual facing away from Earth.

China’s space ambitions extend beyond lunar exploration. With plans to land astronauts on the moon by 2030, retrieve Mars samples around the same time, and launch multiple lunar probe missions in the coming years, China demonstrates its commitment to pushing the boundaries of space exploration.

Recently, China has also established its own space station, Tiangong, aimed at fostering scientific research and international collaboration in space.