As of: June 25, 2024 at 8:56 AM
The Chinese lunar probe Chang’e-6 returned to Earth, carrying with it rock samples from the far side of the moon. The mission was technically demanding and considered a great success.
China has already made space history with the Chang’e-6 mission, even before the probe has landed back on Earth: for the first time, the People’s Republic has succeeded in taking samples from the side of the Moon facing away from Earth.
Through rock and soil samples in their luggage, scientists hope to gain insight into the nature of the far side of the Moon, which can never be seen from Earth. Because of the so-called restricted rotation, it always shows us the same side.
Back 'more geologically interesting’
The six Apollo missions in the 1960s and 1970s only brought samples from the far side of the Moon. However, the back side is geologically more interesting because it is older, explains space expert Paolo Ferri, who worked at the European Space Agency (ESA) for many years:
„The biggest difference between the two sides of the Moon is that on the far side of the Moon there is more lava on the surface. It has covered the older surface. So the samples from this side are relatively new. The samples from the far side come from the original surface of the Moon.”
Earth’s gravity likely caused more volcanic activity on the front side.
Cooperation with the European Space Agency
On board the Chang’e-6 probe was a device belonging to the European Space Agency that discovered negative ions on the moon for the first time. Space expert Ferrie explains why this is interesting for science:
“The Moon has neither a magnetic field nor an atmosphere. Therefore, charged solar wind particles – unlike the Earth – directly collide with its surface, interact with it, and produce positive and negative ions.” These are practically the key to the composition of the Moon’s surface.
It is still unclear whether the European Space Agency will continue to work with China on China’s follow-on missions Chang’e-7 and Chang’e-8 and other projects. European Space Agency on this issue at the request of tagesschau.de He is not quite ready to provide information and only says: „There are currently no decisions on continuing cooperation on 'Chang’e-7′ and -8.”
Competition for manned lunar missions
The reason may be that both China and the United States are planning to send manned flights to the Moon in the next few years. The European Space Agency, in turn, plays an important role in the American lunar program „Artemis”: an important module of the Orion spacecraft comes from Europe. It is assembled in Bremen at Airbus, provides propulsion and is the heart of the spaceship.
Former astronaut Ulrich Walter suspects that the United States is not happy about further cooperation between ESA and China: “The Chinese lunar program consists of four phases. This Chang’e-6 mission was the end of the third phase, and the next phases are two Chang’e missions.” “They are the fourth stage and at the same time two preparatory missions for the subsequent Chinese manned landing on the moon.” This would put the Chinese in competition with the Americans.
Forming camp while exploring the moon
Both the United States and China are currently looking for partners for their lunar programs. The United States launched the so-called “Artemis Accords.” These contracts regulate, among other things, the legal details of future lunar exploration.
After some hesitation, Germany also signed the agreement last September, becoming the 29th country at the time. The United States recently announced that Slovakia has become the 42nd country to sign the Artemis Accords.
The formation of the camps is progressing because the Chinese also want to implement their lunar program in an international partnership, says former astronaut Walter: „China is working with emerging space nations like Brazil, Azerbaijan, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. They want that.” Communicate with these countries by linking the lunar program.”
Russia’s role
Russia also cooperates with China and has its own lunar plans, but China has long overtaken Russia, says the former ESA official Ferry: “The Russian program has certainly been delayed. Today there are two major powers in space, and they are no longer Russia or Russia.” „. “At that time, they were the Soviet Union and the United States, but this is the United States and China.”
Ulrich Walter has a similar point of view and adds: Chinese technology has been based on Russian technology – since the 1970s. “But China has developed it so much that it has nothing to do with Russian technology anymore. In fact, the Chinese are now making fun of Russian space technology. They actually don’t want to have anything to do with the Russians in space technology anymore.”
What interests do China and the United States pursue?
According to current plans, the Americans will land astronauts on the moon before the Chinese. The American Artemis 3 mission is scheduled to take place in September 2026, and the Chinese mission is officially scheduled for 2029 at the earliest. For the United States, the moon is a stop on the way to Mars.
On the Earth’s satellite they want to learn how to live in space with people for a certain period of time. Since the Moon is relatively close to Earth at a distance of about 400,000 km, “life in space” can be easily experienced here. In life-threatening situations, for example, you can return to Earth within three days.
The scientific nature of Artemis missions aims to help advance space exploration. Water ice on the Moon can be melted and split to produce rocket fuel – oxygen and hydrogen. There are also ideas to travel from the Moon to Mars at some point. Since the Moon’s gravity is only one-sixth that of Earth, less fuel would be needed.
For the Chinese, the moon is a prestigious technological project, says former astronaut Walter. „On the one hand, it’s about educating young people; young people should be fascinated.” They also want to develop technologies. “If you look at China’s five-year plan, it says very clearly: We need new technologies.” Space travel is a technology driver, which is why China runs the very extensive lunar program. “They want to cover the Moon with many satellites, observe the Moon, and make many lunar landings, as well as manned landings from 2029.”
Military interests on the moon
From today’s point of view, it does not seem logical to use the moon for military purposes and place weapons on it. The moon is too far from Earth for that. Plans to militarize the Moon did exist during the Cold War, but were rejected.
However, the militarization of space is already taking place in low Earth orbit. Satellites that are part of critical infrastructure orbit there. Laser attacks from the ground, anti-satellite missile tests, and approach maneuvers by enemy satellites are realistic scenarios.