On May 3rd, the fourth phase of the lunar exploration project, Chang'e 6, is scheduled to launch between 17:00 and 18:00. The preferred launch window is set for 17:27.
This mission of Chang'e 6 aims to achieve the first application of three key technologies, laying the groundwork for China's future lunar exploration projects.
Chang'e-6, originally intended as a backup for Chang'e-5, was given a new mission to collect lunar samples from the far side of the moon and bring them back to Earth after the success of the Chang'e-5 mission. This marks the first time humans have conducted sampling on the far side of the moon.
To accomplish this challenging task, researchers have designed three key technologies for it, with the first being the breakthrough in lunar retrograde orbit design and control technology.
Staff explained that in order for Chang'e-6 to carry out the mission of sampling and returning from the southern hemisphere of the lunar far side, it would require a 180-degree flip of the entire landing and ascent combination during the lunar landing, representing a significant technical change.
In addition to adopting a retrograde orbit, Chang'e 6 will also utilize lunar backside intelligent sampling technology and lunar backside takeoff and ascent technology upon reaching the designated location, carrying out automatic sampling and return from the far side of the moon.
The flight control of Chang'e 6 is currently the most complex in China, involving 11 flight phases including lunar orbit flight, lunar surface operations, and lunar surface ascent.
It requires simultaneous tracking and high-precision orbit determination of multiple targets, with numerous flight control events, tight links, and a complex control process.
To facilitate communication between the lunar far side lander and Earth, China has developed the Queqiao-2 relay communication satellite.
The Queqiao-2 relay satellite was launched on March 20 this year and on April 12, the China National Space Administration announced that the Queqiao-2 relay satellite had successfully completed in-orbit communication tests, achieving complete success.
