The Chang’e 6 probe from the Chinese space agency (CNSA) successfully launched aboard a Long March 5 rocket. It is on its way to our satellite for a landing on June 2. Following that, the very first collection of samples on the far side of the Moon will commence.
Chang’e 6 took off on Friday, May 3 at 11:27 Paris time from the Wenchang Space Center in southern China. Shortly after noon, the success of the probe’s separation from the launcher was confirmed. Chang’e 6 is now on its way to the Moon.
What will China do on the far side of the Moon?
This is the sixth mission of the Chinese lunar exploration program, following Chang’e 1 (2007) and Chang’e 2 (2010) in lunar orbit, Chang’e 3 (2013, first touchdown), Chang’e 4 (2018, first landing on the far side), and Chang’e 5 (2020, first return of lunar samples to Earth).
Liftoff under the rain
Despite a heavily clouded sky, the Long March 5 rocket took off on time. It is currently the most powerful Chinese rocket (slightly more powerful than Ariane 5). Long March 5 has been used to launch Chang’e 5, Tianwen-1 to Mars, and the modules for the Chinese space station.
Shortly after liftoff, the four large side boosters (powered by kerosene and liquid oxygen) separated from the central core (powered by liquid hydrogen and oxygen). The flight continued for a few minutes before the main stage of the core separated from the upper stage. Shortly after, the protective shell covering the probe from friction during the crossing of our atmosphere was ejected.
After several tens of minutes, the second stage of the Long March ignited its engine before the probe separated. Once free, Chang’e 6 deployed its solar panels.
On the way to the far side
Chang’e 6’s journey to the Moon will last approximately five days, involving some trajectory correction maneuvers. The probe will then remain in orbit for several weeks before the landing module touches down on June 2 in the Apollo crater in the Aitken basin.