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Lunar Far Side

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China's Chang'e-6 Returns with Historic Moon Samples

The Chang’e-6 ascent vehicle successfully docked with its service module in lunar orbit, marking a crucial step in bringing the first samples from the moon's far side back to Earth. The China National Space Administration (CNSA) completed the docking and transfer of lunar material early on June 6, 2024. The orbiter will remain in lunar orbit for two weeks before returning to Earth, with the reentry capsule expected to land in Inner Mongolia around June 25. This mission is part of China's broader lunar exploration program, which includes future missions to the moon's south pole.

via SpaceNews|

#change-6 #cnsa #lunar-far-side

space1 year ago•3 min saved

"China's Queqiao-2 Satellite: Enabling Lunar Far Side Sample Mission"

China's Queqiao-2 satellite has completed tests in lunar orbit, enabling it to support the upcoming Chang'e-6 mission to the lunar far side. The mission, set to launch on May 3, aims to collect rock samples from the Apollo crater. Queqiao-2 will relay signals between ground stations and Chang'e-6 on the lunar far side, facilitating the mission's success. Additionally, the satellite is part of China's broader plans for lunar exploration, including future missions to the lunar south pole and the development of a lunar base in the 2030s.

via SpaceNews|

#change-6 #china #lunar-far-side

spaceflight2 years ago•2 min saved

Firefly Aerospace to Deliver Lunar Far Side Mission for NASA.

NASA has awarded Firefly Aerospace a $112 million contract to land payloads on the moon's far side using its Blue Ghost lander and send another into orbit to provide communications. The payloads include the Lunar Surface Electromagnetics Experiment-Night (LuSEE-Night) and User Terminal (UT). The European Space Agency's Lunar Pathfinder communications and navigation satellite will be launched first to relay signals between Earth and the payloads on the surface. This is the second Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) contract for Firefly, with the first mission launching in 2024.

via Space.com|

#firefly-aerospace #lunar-far-side #moon