Chang'e 6 Lunar Mission Overview

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

In what lunar region did the Chang'e 6 land and collect samples?

What material was used to create the Chinese flag placed on the lunar surface by the Chang'e 6 mission?

What is the name of the spacecraft used in the Chinese mission that returned the lunar samples?

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

What is the significance of the South Pole-Aitken (SPA) basin, where Chang'e 6 landed?

When did the Chang'e 6 mission launch from China?

What is the primary objective of distributing the lunar samples collected by Chang'e 6 to researchers?

Chang'e 6 Lunar Mission

Chang'e 6, a Chinese lunar probe, successfully collected samples from the Moon's far side on June 25, 2024. This is the first time samples have been brought back from this region.
Launched on May 3, 2024, from Hainan province, it landed at the South Pole-Aitken (SPA) basin on June 2, 2024.
The SPA basin, approximately 1,600 miles (2,500 km) wide and 5 miles (8 km) deep, is a major impact crater on the far side of the Moon.
The lander deployed a 12 by 8 inch (300mm by 200mm) basalt flag.
Chang'e 6 used a drill and robotic arm to collect samples of rocks and soil from the landing site.
A sample-carrying rocket lifted off on June 4, 2024, and docked with the orbiter to bring samples back to Earth.
Approximately four pounds (two kilograms) of lunar material were safely returned to Inner Mongolia on June 25, 2024.
The samples will be analysed by researchers in China and globally.
The samples could offer insights into the Moon's far side evolution and why there are differences between the near and far sides. They may also provide clues about the early Solar System.
Future China missions include, Chang'e7 (2026) and Chang'e 8 (2028), to explore the Moon's south pole for water and other resources.

Explore the details of the Chang'e 6 lunar mission, which successfully collected samples from the Moon's far side in June 2024. From its launch to its landing at the South Pole-Aitken basin, learn about the technology and processes used to bring these significant samples back to Earth for analysis.