China launched the Chang’e-6 lunar probe on Friday, marking a significant milestone in its ambitious lunar exploration program. The probe, named after the mythical Chinese moon goddess, is scheduled to land on the far side of the moon and collect samples for research purposes.
China has set its sights on becoming the second country to send humans to the Moon, aiming to achieve this historic feat by the end of this decade. This ambitious plan would mark a significant milestone in China’s rapidly expanding space program, bringing it on par with the United States in terms of lunar exploration. The mission will involve landing two taikonauts on the lunar surface for approximately six hours before returning to the lunar orbiter, where a third colleague will be waiting to commence the journey back to Earth.
Japan’s lunar probe, Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM), has successfully survived its third freezing lunar night, despite not being designed to withstand such conditions. The lander has been providing images and data since landing on the moon in January, offering valuable insights into the lunar surface and the origin of the moon. SLIM’s continued operation is a significant achievement for Japan, demonstrating the country’s growing capabilities in space exploration.
China is gearing up for the Shenzhou-18 crewed mission, a significant step toward its ambitious goal of lunar exploration by 2030. The three-member crew, led by veteran astronaut Ye Guangfu, will launch into low-Earth orbit on Thursday, taking over from the Shenzhou-17 team currently residing on the Tiangong space station. During their six-month stay, they will conduct scientific experiments, add debris protection equipment, and facilitate education initiatives. Additionally, China announced plans to open its space station to foreign astronauts and space tourists in the future.
NASA Administrator Bill Nelson has expressed concerns that China may seek to exclude the United States from the moon amidst a burgeoning space race. During a House committee hearing, Nelson voiced suspicions about the true nature of China’s civilian space program, suggesting it could have military intentions.
