The launch of the Chang'e-6 lunar probe comes amid the buzz surrounding the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) planning its next lunar mission – Chandrayaan-4, also aimed at bringing back lunar samples.
Here's a look at the difference between China's latest Chang'e-6 mission, the 2026 mission Chang'e 7, which aims to explore the moon's south pole, and India's Chandrayaan 4 mission.
Chang'e 6 lunar probe
According to the CNSA, Chang'e 6 is the world's first attempt to retrieve materials from the far side of the moon – the side not visible from Earth.
The Chang'e-6 lunar probe was launched aboard the Long March-5 Y8 launch vehicle from the Wenchang spacecraft launch site in southern China's Hainan province.
Components: The spacecraft consists of four components: an orbiter, a lander, a riser and a re-entry module.
Execution: It is planned to land on the moon in the first half of this year. After the probe reaches the moon's orbit, the components will separate into two parts. The orbiter and re-entry module remain in orbit while the lander and ascender head to the lunar surface.
Soft landing: The lander-ascender combination will make a soft landing. It will land in the South Pole-Aitken Basin – a giant crater on the far side that is also the largest, oldest and deepest basin recognized on the moon, the CNSA said.
The goal is to collect up to 2 kilos of rocks and soil, packed in a vacuumed metal container in the ascender.
On-site operations: The lander-ascender combination will then use a drill and a mechanical arm to collect moon rocks and soil.
Re-entering the track: After conducting surface operations, the ascender rocket will launch it into lunar orbit to dock with the re-entry module. It will transfer samples to the module, which will take them to Earth.
What we know about the Chandrayaan 4 mission
While the Chang'e 6 mission aims to bring back samples from the far side of the moon, India's Chandrayaan 4 mission is being built to bring back samples from the moon – reportedly from the south polar region. It is expected to be launched in 2027.
Next moon mission in the making
ISRO chief S Somanath had earlier said that the mission to bring back lunar samples is yet to be approved as scientists are still working on the concept.
He recently said that Chandrayaan-4 is the first step towards achieving India's goal of landing an astronaut on the moon by 2040.
“Chandrayaan-4 is the first step towards… putting a spacecraft on the moon, collecting samples and returning them to Earth. It demonstrates the complete cycle of going to the moon and coming back to the earth,” says Somanath. was quoted by PTI as follows.
He had said that going to the moon and bringing back a sample is a very complex job. “…another rocket has to take off from the moon, come back to Earth and land on Earth, which is double what we did last time,” Somanath said.
How the Chandrayaan 4 mission can be carried out:
Launch Vehicle: The next lunar mission will likely involve a PSLV and an LVM3 as launch vehicle options.
Spacecraft modules: The mission includes five spacecraft modules: Re-entry Module (RM), Transfer Module (TM), Ascender Module (AM), Descender Module (DM) and Propulsion Module (PM).
Step 1: The first step will involve sending a lander and an ascender to the moon's surface to collect samples. According to Space.comThis would likely happen near the landing site of the Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft near the moon's south pole – the Shiv Shakti point, the Indian Express reported.
READ ALSO: Chandrayaan-4: ISRO to bring back soil samples from moon; view details of the next moon mission
Step 2: The other two modules of the Chandrayaan-4 mission – a transfer module and a reentry module – may later fly atop a second rocket, but will remain parked on the moon, according to reports.
Step 3, after landing: According to reports, the lander and riser could end up on the rim of an unspecified crater near the south pole. “The ascent module, which carries the collected samples, would launch from the moon's surface and transfer the samples to the reentry module. The transfer and reentry modules would then return to Earth,” the report said.
READ ALSO: Chandrayaan 4 mission will be 'extremely challenging': ISRO chief Somanath shares details of next moon project
The Chinese Chang'e 7
China's Chang'e-7 mission is scheduled for launch around 2026, the China National Space Administration (CNSA) said. This is around the time the Chandrayaan 4 mission is expected to be launched.
The Chang'e-7 mission aims to explore the lunar surface environment, water, ice and volatile elements of the lunar soil at the moon's south pole. It will also investigate the lunar terrain, composition and structure.
The mission will carry six scientific instruments developed by six countries and one international organization.
Countries that brought back samples from the moon
The United States, the former Soviet Union and China have brought lunar samples back to Earth, but no one has ever obtained samples from the far side of the moon.
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Published: May 5, 2024 06:56 IST