Preface
China's Chang'e-6 lunar mission is coming, the largest lunar mission in China's history, and it has many historical significance.
But its other identity is to open the door to a new world for an old friend, and that friend is France.
Recently, China has relentlessly cooled the enthusiasm of the US space agency, which is also a major success of the Chinese space agency in international cooperation.
France really loves and hates the Chang'e-6 mission of the Chinese space agency, and the show is about to be staged.
French astronautics, the first moon landing.
The Chinese space agency's Chang'e-6 mission this year has attracted much attention, not only because China is taking a step forward in its own lunar exploration, but also because there is an absolute big name on Chang'e-6.
The mission of Chang'e-6 is to achieve the first direct return and soil collection of unmanned capsule on the far side of the moon, and successfully return to Earth, which is not only the dream of Chinese astronauts, but also the dream of French astronauts.
The Chang'e-6 probe has been built and will be launched by a Long March 5 carrier rocket on May 3 to begin its mission to the moon.
The Chang'e-6 probe represents not only the progress of the Chinese space agency, but also the progress of the French space agency.
This is because the Chang'e-6 probe will be the first vehicle in French history to make a manned lunar landing a reality, and it also represents the level of competition in the international space field.
France was able to be part of the Chinese space agency's Chang'e-6 mission because of the technical prowess and deep friendship between the two countries.
Out of respect and appreciation for the French Space Agency, the China Space Administration specially invited the French Space Agency to participate in the Chang'e-6 mission, which is also an important milestone for the China Space Agency to join hands with the International Cooperation Organization to carry out the lunar mission.
The cooperation between the French Space Agency and the China Space Agency is an important measure to work together to promote the progress of human civilization.
In 2019, China and France signed the Chang'e-6 cooperation agreement
French scientists are thrilled with this collaboration and feel very fortunate to be one of the first teams in the world to work with China on a mission to the moon.
This also shows that the cooperation between the China Space Administration and the international cooperation organization in carrying out this important task will help push international space cooperation to a new level, help expand the scope of international space cooperation, and be of great significance to maintaining and strengthening international peace and development cooperation.
So what kind of technology and experience does France have as one of the important members of this cooperation?
Founded in 1961, the French Aerospace Agency is the fundamental agency of the French government responsible for the cause of cosmonautics and aviation, and it is also the promoter of the highest aviation technology and the executor of the development program of the highest aviation in France.
France has very rich and valuable experience in the field of aviation science and technology, it has made remarkable achievements and accumulation in the planning and implementation of projects, and it is also an important member of the field of aviation science and technology in the world today.
(Chang'e-5 and Chang'e-6 are twins)
The cooperation between France and China to jointly implement the Chang'e-6 mission not only represents the rich experience and technical strength of France's aerospace sector, but also demonstrates the confidence and determination of the China Space Administration and international space organizations such as the French Space Agency to cooperate more deeply in the field of space.
This cooperation will undoubtedly provide in-depth cooperation between the China Space Agency and the International Space Organization in the field of lunar research and development, and jointly promote human civilization to a new level.
For France, this cooperation will also provide a rare opportunity to share China's technology and experience in the lunar mission, upgrade and improve its own space technology, and actively promote the development of France's space industry.
The Chang'e-6 mission will carry 18 international cooperation payloads, including payloads from France, ESA's lunar negative ion analyzer, Italy's laser corner reflector, and Pakistan's CubeSat, which will provide some important information for the Chinese scientific expedition team and set a new paradigm for international space cooperation.
Through this cooperation, scientists from China and the International Space Organization will be able to work together on some important scientific issues in the Moon and space, and jointly promote the pace of human civilization.
What kind of vehicles will France carry on the Chang'e-6 mission?
Specifically, the Chang'e-6 probe will carry a device called a transect to collect about two kilograms of soil samples on the lunar surface and store them in the sample reentry capsule, which will then separate the lunar crust from the solar spacecraft and return to Earth again, completing the historical mission of lunar crust and sample return.
In addition, the "return landing" will also become another highlight of China's space mission.
(The structure of Chang'e-6, the international payload is only a small part of it)
Chang'e-6 will also carry an unmanned capsule mission of "lunar landing and re-return", also known as "lunar landing and return".
Specifically, Chang'e-6 will carry a lunar lander that will land in a pre-selected landing area from orbit around the moon, which will also be the world's first mission to conduct a controlled landing on the far side of the moon.
(French instrument on Chang'e-6)
The lander also carries a payload device developed by international cooperation, which will provide important data for the study of the lunar surface environment and resources, and as the mission deepens, the lander will lift off and dock with the lunar orbit, which is the transect return capsule to complete the return link of the mission.
During the Chang'e-6 mission, France will carry a vehicle called the Landing Survey Retrospective Scientific Experiment.
The device, developed by the National Research Institute Compiègne-Tebarqueré University in France, will be used to record and study all the processes of the lander's work on the lunar surface and to communicate with the Earth's coordinates via radio frequency technology.
The device will provide scientists with a wealth of scientific data on the moon and for humans to understand and study the lunar surface environment.
This cooperation has also laid a solid foundation for the country to further deepen international space cooperation.