China's Chang'e-6 Probe: A Historic Moon Mission
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Event Date | 4 June 2024 |
| Mission Name | Chang'e-6 |
| Agency | China National Space Administration (CNSA) |
| Objective | To return samples from the far side of the moon |
| Landing Site | South Pole-Aitken Basin |
| Crater Details | 13 km deep, 2500 km diameter, over 4 billion years old |
| Previous Mission | Chang'e-5 (2020, near side sample return) |
| Communication | Queqiao-2 satellite (launched April 2024) |
| Sample Collection | Surface and subsurface samples using a drill and robotic arm |
| Flag Planting | China's national flag planted on the moon's far side for the first time |
| Return to Earth | Expected around 25 June 2024 in Inner Mongolia |
| Future Goal | Manned moon landing by 2030 |
| Global Competitors | Japan, India, United States |
| NASA's Plan | Manned moon landing delayed to 2026 |