Chang'e 6 Lunar Mission Overview

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Questions and Answers

What is the significance of the Chang'e 6 mission?

It is the first mission to successfully retrieve materials from the Moon's far side. (correct)
It was the first mission to plant a flag on the Moon made from basalt.
It was the first mission to land on the Moon's near side.
It was the first mission to explore the South Pole-Aitken basin.

Where did Chang'e 6 land on the Moon?

The Apollo 11 landing site
The far side's mountainous region
The Sea of Tranquility
The South Pole-Aitken (SPA) Basin (correct)

What is the approximate size of the Chinese flag planted on the Moon?

6 by 4 inches (150 mm by 100 mm)
24 by 16 inches (600 mm by 400 mm)
18 by 12 inches (450 mm by 300 mm)
12 by 8 inches (300 mm by 200 mm) (correct)

What is the primary material from which the Chinese flag on the Moon was made?

Basalt (C) Signup and view all the answers

How much lunar material did the Chang'e 6 mission return to Earth?

About 2 kilograms (A) Signup and view all the answers

What are the primary goals of the upcoming Chang'e 7 and Chang'e 8 missions?

To search for water and resources in the lunar South Pole (A) Signup and view all the answers

When is China planning to send crewed missions to the Moon?

2030 (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the primary objectives for studying the lunar samples brought back by the Chang'e 6 mission?

To understand the differences between the Moon’s near and far sides (B) Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Moon's far side

A region of the Moon that faces away from Earth and is not directly visible from Earth.

South Pole-Aitken (SPA) basin

A basin on the Moon's far side, formed by a massive impact event. It's one of the largest and oldest impact craters in the solar system.

Chang'e 6

The first mission to successfully return soil samples from the Moon's far side. It was launched by China in 2024.

Lunar sample collection

The process of collecting samples of rocks and soil from the lunar surface to study their composition and learn more about the Moon's history.

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Studying lunar samples

Analyzing lunar samples to gain understand about the Moon's evolution, its differences between the near and far sides, and the early history of the solar system.

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Lunar south pole exploration

A planned series of missions by China to explore the Moon's south pole, including robotic missions like Chang'e 7 and 8, and future crewed missions.

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Moon base construction

A future goal of China's space program, aiming to establish a permanent base on the Moon's south pole, likely after 2030.

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Study Notes

Chang'e 6 Lunar Mission

Chang'e 6, named after a Chinese Moon goddess, successfully returned lunar samples from the Moon's far side on June 25, 2024, marking a historic first.
Launched from Hainan province on May 3, 2024, the spacecraft's journey concluded with a precise landing at the South Pole-Aitken (SPA) basin on June 2, 2024.
The SPA basin, about 1,600 miles (2,500 km) wide and 5 miles (8 km) deep, is a significant impact crater on the Moon's far side.
The mission's priority included placing a 12 by 8 inch (300 mm by 200 mm) basalt flag on the lunar surface.
Using a drill and robotic arm, Chang'e 6 collected samples from the landing site.
High-quality photos of the lunar surface were also captured.
The sample-holding rocket successfully detached from the lunar surface and docked with the orbiter, transferring the samples.
Approximately four pounds (two kg) of lunar material was safely returned to Earth in Inner Mongolia.
The returned samples will be shared for scientific analysis among Chinese and international researchers.
Scientists anticipate insights into the Moon's far-side evolution and the differences between near and far sides, potentially revealing information about the solar system's early history.

Future Lunar Missions

China plans to further explore the Moon's south pole region.
Chang'e 7, scheduled for 2026, and Chang'e 8, planned for 2028, will seek water and other vital resources.
Plans for crewed missions and a permanent lunar base at the south pole are also in development, potentially beginning in 2030.

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Description

Explore the historic Chang'e 6 lunar mission that successfully returned samples from the Moon's far side. Launched on May 3, 2024, this mission marked significant achievements, including the precise landing at the South Pole-Aitken basin and the collection of lunar material. Discover the details of this groundbreaking venture in lunar exploration.