The Chang’e 6 probe of the Chinese National Space Administration (CNSA) has successfully lifted off 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 sample collection on the far side of the Moon will commence.
Chang’e 6 lifted off on Friday, May 3, at 11:27 a.m. Paris time, from the Wenchang Space Center, in southern China. Shortly after noon, the successful separation of the probe and the launcher is confirmed. Chang’e 6 is now on its way to 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 landing), Chang’e 4 (2018, first landing on the far side), and Chang’e 5 (2020, first return of lunar samples to Earth).
Liftoff in the Rain
Despite a sky filled with clouds, the Long March 5 rocket lifted off on time. It is currently the most powerful Chinese rocket (slightly more powerful than the 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 (whose engines run on kerosene and liquid oxygen) separated from the central core (which runs on liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen). The flight continued for a few minutes before the main stage of the central core separated from the upper stage. Shortly after that, the protective fairing covering the probe to shield it from friction during its traverse of our atmosphere was jettisoned.
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 Route to the Far Side
Chang’e 6’s journey to the Moon will last about five days, including 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.
French replay of the liftoff. © Rêves d’Espace