China achieves historic feat, retrieves soil samples from far side of the Moon
- In Reports
- 05:33 PM, Jun 25, 2024
- Myind Staff
China achieved a historic milestone by successfully returning rock and soil samples from the far side of the moon through its Chang'e 6 probe. The probe touched down in northern China's Inner Mongolian region.
"I now declare that the Chang'e 6 Lunar Exploration Mission has achieved complete success," announced Zhang Kejian, Director of the China National Space Administration, during a televised news conference following the landing.
Chinese President Xi Jinping extended congratulations to the scientists and team responsible for the success of Chang'e 6. He praised the accomplishment as a "landmark achievement in our country's journey towards becoming a space and technological powerhouse."
Chinese scientists anticipate that the samples retrieved, which include 2.5 million-year-old volcanic rock and other materials, will provide insights into geographic differences on the moon's two sides.
Zongyu Yue, a geologist at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, stated in a statement published in the journal Innovation Monday, which is affiliated with the Chinese Academy of Sciences, that the samples "are expected to address a fundamental scientific question in lunar science research: what geological processes account for the differences between the two sides?"
In recent years, moon exploration has gained prominence with missions launched by countries such as India, Japan, and others. The near side of the moon, visible from Earth, contrasts sharply with the far side which faces outer space, featuring mountains and impact craters amidst relatively flat expanses.
Previously, nations like the US and Russia (formerly the Soviet Union) retrieved samples from the moon's near side. China, amid increasing rivalry with the US across various global sectors, is asserting its prowess in space technology. Notably, China has deployed its own space station into orbit and regularly sends crews there.
The Chang'e 6 probe departed from Earth on May 3, embarking on a 53-day journey to the moon.
Image source: India Today
Comments