Chang’e 6

Chang’e 6: China’s Mission to Retrieve Lunar Samples from the Far Side of the Moon
Chang’e 6 is an ambitious lunar mission developed by the China National Space Administration (CNSA). As part of China’s growing Chang’e lunar exploration program, Chang’e 6 is designed to achieve a groundbreaking feat: collect and return samples from the far side of the Moon—a region no country has ever brought material back from before.
Building upon the success of Chang’e 5, which retrieved samples from the near side of the Moon in 2020, Chang’e 6 represents the next step in China's scientific and technological advancement in space. The far side of the Moon, often inaccurately referred to as the "dark side," is constantly facing away from Earth and has a very different geological composition compared to the near side. Studying this unexplored terrain could offer unprecedented insights into the Moon’s formation, evolution, and the early history of the solar system.
Chang’e 6 consists of four components: an orbiter, a lander, an ascender, and a return capsule. The lander is tasked with descending to the lunar surface and drilling or scooping samples from a region likely within the South Pole–Aitken Basin, one of the largest and oldest impact structures in the solar system. Once collected, the samples will be loaded into the ascender, which will launch back into lunar orbit and dock with the orbiter. From there, the return capsule will be sent back to Earth, carrying the precious material for detailed laboratory analysis.
Given the far side's lack of direct communication with Earth, the mission also relies on the Queqiao-2 relay satellite, launched ahead of time to maintain constant contact between the spacecraft and mission control. This adds a layer of complexity and innovation to the mission, showcasing China’s expanding capabilities in deep space operations.
Chang’e 6 is not just a scientific mission—it’s a symbol of China’s commitment to becoming a major space power. The data and samples retrieved may significantly advance our understanding of planetary science and even aid in planning future crewed missions or permanent lunar bases.