Chang'e-6

03.06.2024

Chang'e-6

Why in the news?                        

China's space agency said that China landed an uncrewed spacecraft on the far side of the moon on 2nd of June.

About Chang'e-6:

• The Chang'e-6 craft successfully landed in the South Pole-Aitken Basin on the back of the moon.
• It is the first human sampling and return mission from the far side of the moon.
• It was launched by a Chinese Long March-5 rocket from Wenchang Space Launch Center on the southern island of Hainan 53 days ago.
• Chang'e-6 consists of an orbiter, a returner, a lander and an ascender.
• The lander was equipped with multiple sensors, including microwave, laser and optical imaging sensors which can measure distance and speed and identify obstacles on the lunar surface.
• The probe is scheduled to complete sampling within two days. It has adopted two methods of moon sampling, which include:

○using a drill to collect subsurface samples

○grabbing samples on the surface with a robotic arm

• It has achieved a breakthrough in the design and control technology of the lunar retrograde orbit and aims to realize key technologies of intelligent and rapid sampling.
• It marks the second time a mission has successfully reached the far side of the moon. China first completed that historic feat in 2019 with its Chang’e-4 probe.

Phases of Chinese Lunar Exploration Program

• Lunar Orbit (Chang'e 1 & 2): Completed in 2007 and 2010.
• Landing and Roving (Chang'e 3 & 4): Achieved in 2013 and 2019.
• Sample Collection (Chang'e 5 & 6): Chang'e 5 completed in 2020; Chang'e 6 targets the lunar far side.
• Robotic Research Station: Planned for the Moon's south pole, supporting crewed lunar landings by the 2030s.

Moon Mission of India:Chandrayaan-4 Mission

• Chandrayaan-4 is the first step towards achieving the goal of India landing an astronaut on the moon in 2040.
• Objective: It will collect samples and bring it back to Earth demonstrating the full cycle of going to the moon and coming back to Earth.
• Difference with Chang’e 6 Mission: While Chang’e 6 mission aims to bring back samples from the Moon’s far side, India’s Chandrayaan 4 mission is being built to bring samples from the Moon’s south pole region. It is expected to be launched in 2027

                                                       Source: The Economic Times

Question :- Consider the following statements with reference to the Chang'e-6:

Statement-I

It is the first human sampling and return mission from the far side of the moon.

Statement-II

It was launched by a Chinese Long March-5 rocket.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

A.Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I.

B.Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I.

C.Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect.

D.Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct.

Answer A