Major components arrive at Hainan Wenchang launch site
Announced immediately after failure of U.S. civilian lunar lander
China’s National Aeronautics and Space Administration announced that it plans to launch the unmanned lunar probe ‘Chang’e 6’ in the first half of this year.
On the 10th, China’s state-run Central (CC) TV, citing the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, said that important parts of Chang’e 6 arrived at Hainan Meilan Airport via Antonov (An)-124 and Yun (Y)-20 transport planes, and were later transported by road. It was reported that it was transported to the Wonchang launch site by transportation method.
The media reported, “Follow-up work, such as various tests, will be carried out according to the plan.”
He added, “Considering that the current (Wenchang) launch site facilities are in good condition and various preparatory work is progressing as planned, Chang’e 6 is planned to be launched in the first half of this year.”
Chang’e 6’s mission includes designing and controlling a lunar retrograde orbit, collecting samples from the far side of the moon, and taking off and ascending the far side of the moon. China has announced that it plans to expand international cooperation regarding takeoff and landing.
The Chang’e Project is China’s lunar exploration project, named after the moon goddess Chang’e (Shang’e), and began in March 2004. Seven lunar probes, from Chang’e 1 to Chang’e 7, will be launched in four stages.
Chang’e 7, the last lunar probe in this plan, is expected to be a manned probe.
Chang’e 5 was launched on November 24, 2020, collected about 2 kg of lunar soil and rock samples, and returned to Earth on December 16.
Meanwhile, China’s Chang’e 6 launch plan came as it was announced that a private lunar lander launched by an American company would fail to land on the moon due to technical problems. Some analysts say there is an intention to keep the United States in check.
Astrobotic, a space company that developed the private lunar lander Peregrine, announced on the 9th (local time) through social media
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.