World
Chang’e-6 Mission: Return of Moon Soil
Explore the exciting Chang’e-6 mission as it aims to bring back valuable moon soil samples, furthering our understanding of the lunar surface and its history.
On Tuesday, a capsule carrying precious soil from the mysterious far side of the moon will descend by parachute into the vast desert of China’s Inner Mongolia region. This significant achievement is part of the Chinese National Space Administration’s Chang’e-6 mission and adds to the string of successful lunar explorations by China since 2007.
Key Details of the Landing
The exact landing time for the Chang’e-6 mission’s return has not been officially announced by China’s space agency. However, NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center estimates the sample return capsule will touch down at 1:41 a.m. Eastern Time, which corresponds to 1:41 p.m. local time in the Siziwang Banner area of Inner Mongolia. Stay tuned for potential live video coverage closer to the anticipated landing time.
Understanding the Far Side of the Moon
Contrary to popular belief, the far side of the moon is not the dark side but receives its fair share of sunlight. While Earthlings only see the near side of the moon from our vantage point, the far side remains hidden from view. The lunar surface is marked by expansive dark plains formed by ancient lava flows, creating a captivating contrast to the familiar face of the moon.