China's Chang'e-6 lunar probe has successfully lifted off from Moon. The probe, as per an announcement from China's national space agency on Tuesday (June 4), is on its journey back to Earth after taking off from the far side of the moon, an area permanently hidden from our view.

<h2>Historic achievement</h2>

With this historic feat — launching from the moon's unexplored side — China is on the verge of being the first country to bring back samples from a part of the moon no other country has touched.&nbsp;

The probe, as per a Reuters report, left the moon's surface at 7:38 am local time (2338 GMT), after gathering samples over two days - June 2 and 3.

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According to the China National Space Administration (CNSA), the Chang'e-6 managed to endure high temperatures during its mission on the far side of the moon.

Chang'e-6 "withstood the test of high temperature on the far side of the moon," said the space agency.

<h2>Remarkable mission</h2>

Unlike the previous Chang'e-5 mission, which collected samples from the moon's near side, Chang'e-6 operated under additional technical challenges — the probe had to operate without direct links to Earth.&nbsp;

Instead, it communicated through the Queqiao-2 satellite, launched in April to aid this mission.

Using a drill and a robotic arm, the Chang'e-6 probe collected soil from the moon's surface and just below it, as per reports from Xinhua, the state news agency.&nbsp;

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During its mission, Chang'e-6 also planted China's national flag on the moon's far side for the first time, reported Beijing Daily.

The probe is now orbiting the moon and will soon connect with another spacecraft in orbit, said the CNSA. From there, the moon soil samples will be moved to a return module, and travel back to Earth.&nbsp;

As per reports, the landing is expected to happen in China's Inner Mongolia region around June 25.

(With inputs from agencies)

China's Chang'e-6 lunar probe has successfully lifted off from Moon. The probe, as per an announcement from China's national space agency on Tuesday (June 4), is on its journey back to Earth after taking off from the far side of the moon, an area permanently hidden from our view.

China's Chang'e-6 lunar probe has successfully lifted off from Moon. The probe, as per an announcement from China's national space agency on Tuesday (June 4), is on its journey back to Earth after taking off from the far side of the moon, an area permanently hidden from our view. Historic achievement With this historic feat — launching from the moon's unexplored side — China is on the verge of being the first country to bring back samples from a part of the moon no other country has touched. The probe, as per a Reuters report, left the moon's surface at 7:38 am local time (2338 GMT), after gathering samples over two days - June 2 and 3. Also read | Boeing, NASA target June 5 for Starliner's debut crew flight According to the China National Space Administration (CNSA), the Chang'e-6 managed to endure high temperatures during its mission on the far side of the moon. Chang'e-6 "withstood the test of high temperature on the far side of the moon," said the space agency. Remarkable mission Unlike the previous Chang'e-5 mission, which collected samples from the moon's near side, Chang'e-6 operated under additional technical challenges — the probe had to operate without direct links to Earth. Instead, it communicated through the Queqiao-2 satellite, launched in April to aid this mission. Using a drill and a robotic arm, the Chang'e-6 probe collected soil from the moon's surface and just below it, as per reports from Xinhua, the state news agency. Also read | China’s secret spaceplane ejects mysterious object into Earth’s orbit. US hunts it down During its mission, Chang'e-6 also planted China's national flag on the moon's far side for the first time, reported Beijing Daily. The probe is now orbiting the moon and will soon connect with another spacecraft in orbit, said the CNSA. From there, the moon soil samples will be moved to a return module, and travel back to Earth. As per reports, the landing is expected to happen in China's Inner Mongolia region around June 25. (With inputs from agencies)

China's Chang'e-6 probe makes history, begins return journey to Earth with samples from Moon's dark side

Chang'e-6, China's latest mission to the Moon, seems to be carrying a secret rover.&nbsp;

After the successful launch of the spacecraft on Friday (May 3), the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST) released new photos of the lander, and internet sleuths were quick to spot a small grey object with wheels strapped to the side. The object looks like a mini rover. Its purpose?&nbsp;Unknown.

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<h2>'Previously undisclosed mini rover'</h2>

Taking to X, previously Twitter, Andrew Jones, a journalist closely tracking China's space programme, wrote in a post, "Yeah, okay. That looks like a previously undisclosed mini rover on the side of the Chang'e-6 lander".

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Yeah, okay. That looks like a previously undisclosed mini rover on the side of the Chang'e-6 lander lol. Via CAST: <a href="https://t.co/gS0Jy5L9hw">https://t.co/gS0Jy5L9hw</a> <a href="https://t.co/9vvTnribpl">pic.twitter.com/9vvTnribpl</a>
— Andrew Jones (@AJ_FI) <a href="https://twitter.com/AJ_FI/status/1786353438806217036?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 3, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

What will the mini rover do? No one knows yet.

As per a Live Science report, a translated statement from the Shanghai Institute of Ceramics revealed that the small robot has an infrared imaging spectrometer. Its purpose, however, remains unclear. But, given its small size and the conditions it will face on the Moon, SpaceNews predicts that whatever the mission, it will fall short.

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"Given the diminutive size of the vehicle and short lifetime of the mission lander, it is likely the rover will have limited operational time and objectives."

<h2>Previous sneaky space missions by China</h2>

According to SpaceNews, this is not the first time China has sneaked undisclosed payloads onto its spacecraft.&nbsp;

Previously, in 2021, during China's Tianwen-1 mission to Mars, the nation's spacecraft ejected a disposable spacecraft that took pictures of Tianwen-1 on its way to the red planet.

The Tianwen-1 orbiter was also equipped with another detachable camera that took selfies while in orbit around Mars.

Further, the Zhurong rover, that was&nbsp;part of the Tianwen-1 mission, also dropped a camera on&nbsp;the red planet.

(With inputs from agencies)

Chang'e-6, China's latest mission to the Moon, seems to be carrying a secret rover. After the successful launch of the spacecraft on Friday (May 3), the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST) released new photos of the lander, and internet sleuths were quick to spot a small grey object with wheels strapped to the side.

Chang'e-6, China's latest mission to the Moon, seems to be carrying a secret rover. After the successful launch of the spacecraft on Friday (May 3), the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST) released new photos of the lander, and internet sleuths were quick to spot a small grey object with wheels strapped to the side. The object looks like a mini rover. Its purpose? Unknown. Also read | Warren Buffett likens AI to nuclear weapons, warns 'genie part way out of the bottle' 'Previously undisclosed mini rover' Taking to X, previously Twitter, Andrew Jones, a journalist closely tracking China's space programme, wrote in a post, "Yeah, okay. That looks like a previously undisclosed mini rover on the side of the Chang'e-6 lander". Yeah, okay. That looks like a previously undisclosed mini rover on the side of the Chang'e-6 lander lol. Via CAST: https://t.co/gS0Jy5L9hw pic.twitter.com/9vvTnribpl — Andrew Jones (@AJ_FI) May 3, 2024 × What will the mini rover do? No one knows yet. As per a Live Science report, a translated statement from the Shanghai Institute of Ceramics revealed that the small robot has an infrared imaging spectrometer. Its purpose, however, remains unclear. But, given its small size and the conditions it will face on the Moon, SpaceNews predicts that whatever the mission, it will fall short. Also read | Ancient fossil shows birds are officially dinosaurs "Given the diminutive size of the vehicle and short lifetime of the mission lander, it is likely the rover will have limited operational time and objectives." Previous sneaky space missions by China According to SpaceNews, this is not the first time China has sneaked undisclosed payloads onto its spacecraft. Previously, in 2021, during China's Tianwen-1 mission to Mars, the nation's spacecraft ejected a disposable spacecraft that took pictures of Tianwen-1 on its way to the red planet. The Tianwen-1 orbiter was also equipped with another detachable camera that took selfies while in orbit around Mars. Further, the Zhurong rover, that was part of the Tianwen-1 mission, also dropped a camera on the red planet. (With inputs from agencies)

Has China sent a secret rover to Moon? Internet sleuths spot small device piggybacking Chang'e-6

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China's Chang'e-6 probe makes history, begins return journey to Earth with samples from Moon's dark side

Has China sent a secret rover to Moon? Internet sleuths spot small device piggybacking Chang'e-6