On May 3, 2024, as the bell rang at 17:27, the Long March 5 Yao-8 carrier rocket roared into the sky at the Wenchang Space Launch Site, carrying the grand mission of the Chang'e-6 probe, piercing the sky and accurately entering the Earth-Moon transfer orbit, marking the smooth start of another feat of the mainland's aerospace industry. The Chang'e-6 mission aims to complete the world's unprecedented challenge - the sample return mission of the South Pole of the Far Moon-Aitken Basin. This mysterious area is not only a new focus of human exploration, but also contains the key to unlocking the ancient secrets of the moon and even the solar system. But why did Chang'e-6 choose the far side of the moon, and what is the rationale behind it?
The far side of the Moon, a secret place that can never be seen directly on Earth, has long been shrouded in mystery because of its unique geographical location. There is a wonderful tidal locking phenomenon between the Moon and the Earth, such that the Moon's rotation period is exactly equal to the period of its revolution around the Earth, so that we can only see the same side of the Moon. It is the uniqueness of this "back-to-back" that makes the far side of the moon an excellent stage for exploring the unknown.
The South Pole-Aitken Basin, the target area of Chang'e-6, is located on the northeast side of the far side of the Moon, which is not only the largest and oldest known impact basin in the solar system, but also a treasure trove of scientific research. Lu Yuntong, an expert from the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, pointed out that although there have been more than a dozen lunar sample returns in human history, these explorations are limited to the front side of the moon, and the far side of the moon may contain even more ancient lunar soil, and its scientific value is immeasurable. Whatever sample is brought back will be a great enrichment in the understanding of the history of the moon and the early evolution of the solar system.
Choosing the back of the moon is not only a demonstration of courage and determination, but also a fusion of scientific and engineering wisdom. To carry out a mission on the far side of the Moon, the first thing to overcome is the problem of energy supply. The operation of spacecraft in space relies on solar energy, which means that there must be adequate lighting conditions at the landing site. After careful calculations, the Chang'e-6 team decided to choose the mid-latitude region of the Moon's South Pole and Aitken Basin, which can not only ensure the effective irradiation of sunlight, but also take into account the stability of energy access and the feasibility of communication, laying a solid foundation for the successful implementation of the mission.
In addition, the special environment on the far side of the Moon poses additional challenges, such as complex terrain and lack of direct communication coverage from Earth. However, as Lu Yuntong said, through careful site selection and comprehensive consideration of various factors such as light, energy, and communications, the Antarctic-Aitken Basin has become an ideal landing site, and its engineering operability has been fully verified. This is not only a test of spacecraft design and manufacturing capabilities, but also an extreme challenge to ground control and navigation technology.
Chang'e-6's exploration of the far side of the moon not only marks a major leap forward in mainland space technology, but also symbolizes mankind's never-ending pursuit of the unknown. The mystery of the far side of the moon is slowly being revealed, and what awaits us are important clues about the origin of the moon, the early dynamics of the solar system, and the environment in which life was born on earth. Every precise landing, every precious sample collection, is a solid step taken by mankind into the depths of the universe, and a glorious portrayal of the scientific spirit and courage to explore.
To sum up, Chang'e-6's choice to land on the far side of the moon is a perfect combination of the ultimate pursuit of scientific value and engineering practice. In this untouched land, Chang'e-6 will write a new chapter in human exploration of the moon, open a scientific feast through time and space, and contribute China's strength to solving the ancient mysteries of the moon and even the solar system.