Recently, the mainland Chang'e-6 probe continues to write a new chapter in the history of aerospace!
According to reports, Chang'e-6 will use 53 days to complete its flight around the Earth-Moon orbit, and then achieve a soft landing and land in a pre-set area on the far side of the Moon. This will be followed by a year-long scientific mission to explore the moon's geological structure, mineral resources and surrounding environment.
In comparison, looking back at the American Apollo program more than half a century ago, it took the astronauts only eight days to fly from Earth to the moon and return safely. The Apollo mission was to achieve the grand goal of landing a man on the moon, so it was compact, tightly processed, and purposeful. The Chang'e-6 mission focuses on scientific exploration, and is a continuation and upgrade of the previous Chang'e series of exploration missions. This makes the Chang'e-6 mission cover more scientific research and exploration, and it will take longer to complete.
But in fact, this difference stems from the different settings of China and the United States on the goals and mission content of lunar exploration. The Chang'e-6 mission aims to carry out multidisciplinary integrated exploration, which will not only complete basic tasks such as orbiting the moon, lunar surface patrol and positioning, but also test the Earth-Moon navigation and communication system to accumulate technical reserves for future lunar exploration projects.
However, one of Chang'e-6's most important missions is a year-long scientific expedition to the far side of the moon. This scientific expedition program includes the collection of lunar soil samples and the analysis of soil mineral composition, providing valuable first-hand data for the study of the formation and evolution of the Moon. The analysis of these samples can shed light on answers to questions about the Moon's composition, chemical composition, and geological evolution, advancing our understanding of the Moon's origins and the evolution of the solar system.
In contrast, the Apollo program at the time focused primarily on demonstrating the power of American space technology and the symbol of national power. Behind this plan was an important strategy adopted by the U.S. government to compete with the Soviet Union during the Cold War. By accomplishing the feat of landing a man on the moon, the U.S. government is trying to show the world its excellence in science and engineering.
As a result, the goal of the Apollo program was relatively single, mainly to send astronauts to the moon and complete limited lunar activities. The planned missions focus on lunar walking, sampling, and setting up experimental equipment to verify human adaptability and technical feasibility in the space environment. Although the Apollo mission was a great success and changed history, it was focused more on political and technological triumph than on long-term scientific exploration.
Chang'e-6's mission is more diverse, covering a loop flight, lunar surface patrol, scientific expeditions, and technical verification. The development of China's aerospace science and technology has made Chang'e-6 have more complex and comprehensive scientific goals. In addition to lunar surface sampling and experimental equipment installation, Chang'e-6 will also test the Earth-Moon navigation and communication system to explore the lunar environment and provide technical support for further lunar exploration work in the future.
Of course, to complete the complex and sophisticated mission of Chang'e-6, China must rely on its own space tracking and control network. In the communication between the probe and the Earth, the challenge is that the Moon itself obscures the direct connection with the Earth. In order to solve this problem, Chang'e-6 needs to use relay satellites in orbit around the moon as signal relay stations, so that the communication between the Earth and the probe can be carried out smoothly. In this way, the relay satellite will become an important link between the Earth and the Moon.
In addition, in order to ensure that Chang'e-6 can make a precise soft landing on the moon, the ground TT&C center needs to carry out accurate orbit design and real-time orbit correction. Aerospace scientists need to consider factors such as the topography and gravitational distribution of the lunar surface, and carefully design and tightly control the orbit of the spacecraft. Through accurate data calculation and real-time correction, it is ensured that Chang'e-6 can land precisely in the predetermined area.
Every detail of these missions requires tremendous effort and ingenuity from space science and technology personnel. They use mathematical calculations, engineering design, and real-time control to bring the spacecraft into the right orbit, ensure stable transmission of communications, and develop an accurate landing plan. The wisdom and sweat of these countless astronauts have made the successful launch and execution of Chang'e-6 and won international recognition for China's space industry.
Personal Opinion:
Throughout the course of human exploration of the universe, from the initial curiosity to the later systematic research, and then to the current comprehensive scientific research, our understanding of space has been deepened, and the technical means are also advancing day by day. The reason why Chang'e-6 is "tortuous and long" shows that the mainland is accumulating experience in carrying out comprehensive and systematic lunar and deep space exploration. Compared with the simple slogan of pursuing "first", it is a more rational and prudent approach.
After all, the process of exploring the unknown requires gradual progress and repeated polishing. Just as it takes a step to reach the top, so does the unraveling of the mysteries of the universe. The successful launch and mission execution of Chang'e-6 is an important step in China's space exploration of the universe. This achievement will contribute to the deeper field of space for China and all mankind.
The mission of Chang'e-6 is to further our understanding of the Moon and provide valuable first-hand data for studying the formation and evolution of the Moon. Through scientific expeditions such as sampling the lunar surface and analyzing the mineral composition of the soil, Chang'e-6 will give us a deeper and more comprehensive understanding of the moon.
After Chang'e-6, we look forward to more launches and missions to expand our understanding of the universe. The success of the Chang'e lunar exploration program proves the strength and innovation ability of China's aerospace science and technology, which will also have a positive impact on the international space community. Let's wait and see, and look forward to Chang'e-6 rewriting a new legend and laying a solid foundation for future explorations.