• News
    • Tech News
    • AI
  • Gadgets
    • Apple
    • iPhone
  • Gaming
    • Playstation
    • Xbox
  • Science
    • News
    • Space
  • Streaming
    • Netflix
  • Vehicles
    • Car News
  • Social Media
    • WhatsApp
    • YouTube
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
TikTok
Snapchat
WhatsApp
Submit Your Content
Chinese spacecraft leaves Moon’s surface carrying rocks to bring home

Home> Science> Space

Published 12:12 10 Jun 2024 GMT+1

Chinese spacecraft leaves Moon’s surface carrying rocks to bring home

The Chang’e-6 probe's mission was hailed a success.

Ella Scott

Ella Scott

China has earmarked a recent Moon mission as a success after a lunar spacecraft landed and left carrying rock and soil samples.

Journeys to the moon’s far side are notoriously difficult, due to the celestial being’s rugged terrain and lack of flat areas.

As the Moon side permanently faces away from the Earth, teams on the ground usually have to rely on satellites to maintain communications with their probes.

Advert

CNSA/Xinhua/AP
CNSA/Xinhua/AP

However, last Sunday (June 2), a Chinese spacecraft touched down and unfurled the country’s flag to mark the triumphant expedition.

As per the China National Space Administration, the Chang’e-6 probe’s landing site was the South Pole-Aitken Basin - a 2,500-kilometre (1,500-mile) crater, thought to have been created over four billion years ago.

Scientists believe the crater is the oldest on the Moon and could hold significant information regarding the Earth’s only natural satellite.

Advert

After the Chang’e-6 probe - launched last month - touched down on the far side, it drilled into the celestial body’s surface.

Using a robotic arm, the spacecraft successfully collected a variety of ancient rock and soil samples.

After completing its task, the sixth probe in the Chang'e Moon exploration programme stored the samples in a container, according to the Associated Press.

CNSA/Xinhua/AP
CNSA/Xinhua/AP

Advert

The capsule then unfurled a small Chinese flag from its retractable arm, which was said to have been made of special composite materials.

According to an animation of the mission released by the agency, this flag was not placed on the lunar soil.

Following the spectacle, the lander rocketed off from the moon’s surface with a container safely stowed inside the probe as planned.

On Tuesday (June 4) the ascender lifted off with its engine burning for about six minutes as it entered a preset orbit around the Moon, the China National Space Administration said.

Advert

The vessel, containing the moon’s materials, is expected to be transferred to a reentry capsule before returning to Earth later this month.

It is expected to land in the deserts of China’s Inner Mongolia region around June 25.

Jin Liwang/Xinhua/AP
Jin Liwang/Xinhua/AP

Following the expedition, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying took to X, formerly known as Twitter, and wrote: “Mission accomplished!”

Advert

“An unprecedented feat in human lunar exploration history!”

The sixth moon expedition, named after the Chinese moon goddess, is the first mission since 2020 designed to bring back samples from the celestial object.

It also forms part of China’s growing space rivalry with the United States - still considered the leader in space exploration - and other territories such as Japan and India.

China also plans to become the second nation to put a person on the Moon; a mission they want to complete by 2030.

As per AP, the US is planning to land astronauts on the Moon again soon, with NASA setting the target date earlier this year to 2026.

Featured Image Credit: CNSA
China
Earth
Moon
Science
Space

Advert

Advert

Advert

  • Plans confirmed to build a nuclear reactor on the Moon leaves 'US in total shock'
  • $101,000,000 private mission to moon to pave way for humanity's return to lunar surface launching next month
  • Fascinating animation shows what would happen if all of Earth's water was transferred to the moon
  • Worrying reason the Moon was just added to a watchlist of cultural sites under threat

Choose your content:

10 mins ago
5 hours ago
6 hours ago
3 days ago
  • 10 mins ago

    Fake dentist who treated 'dozens' of patients arrested after worrying Google searches were exposed

    Fake it till you make it, or not in this case

    Science
  • 5 hours ago

    Biohacker who spends millions to ‘live forever’ reveals alarming mistake that caused his face to ‘blow up’

    Bryan Johnson has received blood transfusions from his son in a bid to live forever

    Science
  • 6 hours ago

    Doctor explains 'Ozempic penis' phenomenon after men begin reporting side effect

    Some men who use the weight loss drugs have noticed the bizarre side effect

    Science
  • 3 days ago

    Scientists issue warning after harmful species breed to form terrifying 'hybrid swarms'

    The new species can't be stopped from growing its colonies

    Science