Moon sample return mission: China's Chang'e 6 Vs India's Chandrayaan-4 mission
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) planning its next Moon 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, its 2026 mission, Chang'e 7, which aims to explore lunar south pole and India's Chandrayaan 4 mission. As per the CNSA, the Chang'e 6 is the world's first attempt to retrieve substances from the moon's far side – the side which is not visible from the Earth.
The Chang'e-6 lunar probe was launched onboard the Long March-5 Y8 carrier rocket from the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site in south China's Hainan Province. Components: The spacecraft consists of four components – an orbiter, a lander, an ascender and a re-entry module. Execution: It is scheduled to land on the moon in the first half of this year.
After the probe reaches lunar orbit, the components will separate into two parts. The orbiter and re-entry module will remain in orbit, while the lander and ascender head for the moon's surface. Soft landing: The lander-ascender combination will make a soft landing.
It will land in the South Pole-Aitken Basin – a gigantic crater on the far side and also the largest, oldest and deepest basin recognised on the moon, the CNSA said. The aim is to collect up to 2 kilograms of stones and soil, packed in a vacuumed metal container inside the ascender. In-situ operations: The lander-ascender combination will then start using a drill and a mechanical arm to gather lunar rocks and soil.
Re-entry into the orbit: After carrying out the surface operations, the ascender's rocket will elevate it to lunar orbit to dock with the re-entry module. It will transfer samples to the module, which will carry them to Earth. While Chang'e 6
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