China on Friday (May 3) successfully launched its historic mission to collect rocks and soil from the far side of the Moon, becoming the first country to make such an ambitious attempt.&nbsp;

<h2>About the launch of&nbsp;Chang’e-6 probe</h2>

The Long March-5, China’s largest rocket, successfully launched carrying the Chang’e-6 probe, which weighs more than eight metric tonnes, from the Wenchang Space Launch Centre, on the southern island of Hainan, at around 5:27 pm (local time), announced the China National Space Administration (CNSA).&nbsp;

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🎉Congratulations to the successful moon shot launch of Chang’e 6 lunar probe! Looking forward to collecting humankind’s first-ever lunar soil from the far side of the moon! 🌖 Long March 5 Launch video: <a href="https://t.co/Oxx3ZQ1CvC">https://t.co/Oxx3ZQ1CvC</a> <a href="https://t.co/nohTUB6xPc">pic.twitter.com/nohTUB6xPc</a>
— CNSA Watcher (@CNSAWatcher) <a href="https://twitter.com/CNSAWatcher/status/1786330703803920883?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 3, 2024</a></blockquote>
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The launch was attended by scientists, diplomats and space agency officials from France, Italy, Pakistan, and the European Space Agency (ESA), all of which have Moon-studying payloads aboard the rocket.&nbsp;

“It is a bit of a mystery to us how China has been able to develop such an ambitious and successful programme in such a short time,” said Pierre-Yves Meslin, a French researcher working on one of the scientific objectives of the Chang’e-6 mission, as quoted by Reuters.&nbsp;

Notably, no United States-based organisations applied to get a payload spot, said Ge Ping, deputy director of the CNSA’s Lunar Exploration and Space Programme.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/china-set-to-launch-lunar-probe-change-6-with-pakistans-satellite-on-board-717525">China set to launch lunar probe Chang'e-6 with Pakistan's satellite on board</a>

This is because Beijing is banned by American law from any collaboration with the US space agency NASA.&nbsp;

<h2>What is the Chang’e-6&nbsp;mission about?</h2>

Chang’e-6 is tasked with landing in the South Pole-Aitken Basin on the far side of the Moon, which faces away from Earth, to retrieve samples.&nbsp;

The mission’s goal is to collect two kilogrammes of soil and rocks from the landing site and bring them back to Earth for detailed analysis.&nbsp;

“The far side of the moon has a mystique perhaps because we literally can’t see it, we have never seen it apart from with robotic probes or the very few number of humans that have been around the other side,” said Neil Melville-Kenney, a technical officer at ESA working with Chinese researchers on one of the Chang’e-6 payloads, as quoted by Reuters.&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/change-6-missions-experimental-satellites-beam-back-eerie-image-of-moon-and-earth-714096">Crater-filled Moon and faint Earth in the background: Chinese satellites beam eerie image from space</a>

The Chinese spacecraft will rely on the relay satellite that has been recently deployed and in its 53-day mission is orbiting the Moon.

Once the probe separates from the rocket it will take around four to five days to reach the Moon and is expected to land on the far side of the lunar surface in June.&nbsp;

The probe – named after the Chinese Moon goddess – will then spend around two days digging up the samples before it makes its journey back to Earth, where it is expected to land in Inner Mongolia.

(With inputs from agencies)

China on Friday (May 3) successfully launched its historic mission to collect rocks and soil from the far side of the Moon, becoming the first country to make such an ambitious attempt.

China on Friday (May 3) successfully launched its historic mission to collect rocks and soil from the far side of the Moon, becoming the first country to make such an ambitious attempt. About the launch of Chang’e-6 probe The Long March-5, China’s largest rocket, successfully launched carrying the Chang’e-6 probe, which weighs more than eight metric tonnes, from the Wenchang Space Launch Centre, on the southern island of Hainan, at around 5:27 pm (local time), announced the China National Space Administration (CNSA). 🎉Congratulations to the successful moon shot launch of Chang’e 6 lunar probe! Looking forward to collecting humankind’s first-ever lunar soil from the far side of the moon! 🌖 Long March 5 Launch video: https://t.co/Oxx3ZQ1CvC pic.twitter.com/nohTUB6xPc — CNSA Watcher (@CNSAWatcher) May 3, 2024 × The launch was attended by scientists, diplomats and space agency officials from France, Italy, Pakistan, and the European Space Agency (ESA), all of which have Moon-studying payloads aboard the rocket. “It is a bit of a mystery to us how China has been able to develop such an ambitious and successful programme in such a short time,” said Pierre-Yves Meslin, a French researcher working on one of the scientific objectives of the Chang’e-6 mission, as quoted by Reuters. Notably, no United States-based organisations applied to get a payload spot, said Ge Ping, deputy director of the CNSA’s Lunar Exploration and Space Programme. Also Read | China set to launch lunar probe Chang'e-6 with Pakistan's satellite on board This is because Beijing is banned by American law from any collaboration with the US space agency NASA. What is the Chang’e-6 mission about? Chang’e-6 is tasked with landing in the South Pole-Aitken Basin on the far side of the Moon, which faces away from Earth, to retrieve samples. The mission’s goal is to collect two kilogrammes of soil and rocks from the landing site and bring them back to Earth for detailed analysis. “The far side of the moon has a mystique perhaps because we literally can’t see it, we have never seen it apart from with robotic probes or the very few number of humans that have been around the other side,” said Neil Melville-Kenney, a technical officer at ESA working with Chinese researchers on one of the Chang’e-6 payloads, as quoted by Reuters. Also Read | Crater-filled Moon and faint Earth in the background: Chinese satellites beam eerie image from space The Chinese spacecraft will rely on the relay satellite that has been recently deployed and in its 53-day mission is orbiting the Moon. Once the probe separates from the rocket it will take around four to five days to reach the Moon and is expected to land on the far side of the lunar surface in June. The probe – named after the Chinese Moon goddess – will then spend around two days digging up the samples before it makes its journey back to Earth, where it is expected to land in Inner Mongolia. (With inputs from agencies)

Chang’e-6: China launches historic mission to collect samples from far side of the Moon

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) on Tuesday announced that it has&nbsp;picked US-based rocket builder Firefly Aerospace for an important $112 million contract. The NASA contract is for the delivery of multiple lunar payloads to the far side of the moon in 2026. It is part of NASA's efforts to put humans on the moon.

As per the Firefly Aerospace website, this is the second task the firm has won under NASA's&nbsp;Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative.

Watch |&nbsp;Artemis I Explained: NASA's first mission to land humans on the moon after 50 years

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To fulfill its contractual obligations, Firefly, as per the company website, will use its "Blue Ghost spacecraft in a two-stage configuration to first place a satellite into lunar orbit and then deliver two research payloads on the far side of the Moon."

"This mission will debut Firefly’s unique two-stage Blue Ghost spacecraft, offering NASA and other customers multiple deployment options as we collectively build the infrastructure for ongoing lunar operations and planetary exploration," said the rocket maker in a statement.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/understanding-the-dark-ages-of-universe-from-far-side-of-the-moon-571754">Unravelling the 'Dark Ages' of our universe from far side of the moon</a>

As per Reuters, NASA had previously handed a similar contract worth $73 million to spacecraft software firm Draper last year. The award was for the delivery of science and technology payloads to the far side of the moon in 2025.

The US space agency is attempting to take humanity to the moon through its Artemis program's Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative, which is undertaking a crucial step before humanity lands on the moon.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/mission-to-moon-how-us-and-japan-plan-to-once-again-send-humans-to-the-lunar-surface-481528">Mission to Moon: How US and Japan plan to once again send humans to the lunar surface</a>

CLPS is an effort to deploy privately built lunar landers to study the moon's surface before humans set a foot on the celestial object.&nbsp;

Humanity may make it to the moon in the next few years. Multiple countries, including the United States and China, have undertaken missions to achieve this feat.

(With inputs from agencies)

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The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) on Tuesday announced that it has picked US-based rocket builder Firefly Aerospace for an important $112 million contract.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) on Tuesday announced that it has picked US-based rocket builder Firefly Aerospace for an important $112 million contract. The NASA contract is for the delivery of multiple lunar payloads to the far side of the moon in 2026. It is part of NASA's efforts to put humans on the moon. As per the Firefly Aerospace website, this is the second task the firm has won under NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative. Watch | Artemis I Explained: NASA's first mission to land humans on the moon after 50 years To fulfill its contractual obligations, Firefly, as per the company website, will use its "Blue Ghost spacecraft in a two-stage configuration to first place a satellite into lunar orbit and then deliver two research payloads on the far side of the Moon." "This mission will debut Firefly’s unique two-stage Blue Ghost spacecraft, offering NASA and other customers multiple deployment options as we collectively build the infrastructure for ongoing lunar operations and planetary exploration," said the rocket maker in a statement. Also read | Unravelling the 'Dark Ages' of our universe from far side of the moon As per Reuters, NASA had previously handed a similar contract worth $73 million to spacecraft software firm Draper last year. The award was for the delivery of science and technology payloads to the far side of the moon in 2025. The US space agency is attempting to take humanity to the moon through its Artemis program's Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative, which is undertaking a crucial step before humanity lands on the moon. Also read | Mission to Moon: How US and Japan plan to once again send humans to the lunar surface CLPS is an effort to deploy privately built lunar landers to study the moon's surface before humans set a foot on the celestial object. Humanity may make it to the moon in the next few years. Multiple countries, including the United States and China, have undertaken missions to achieve this feat. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

NASA awards Firefly Aerospace $112mn contract to deliver crucial payloads to far side of moon

The Chinese Yutu 2 rover has spotted a mysterious cube-shaped object on the far side of the moon - nearly 80m away from the rover in Von Kármán crater, as mentioned in the media reports.&nbsp;

Reports also added that the object has been referred to as a "mystery house" and in the next two to three lunar days, the rover will attempt to get closer and check it out.&nbsp;

SPACE.com reported, Yutu 2 spotted the object on the horizon to the north in November during the mission's 36th lunar day, according to a Yutu 2 diary published by Our Space. It is an outreach channel affiliated with the China National Space Administration (CNSA).&nbsp;

ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-to-announce-fresh-names-for-its-astronaut-program-soon-434684">NASA to announce fresh names for its astronaut program soon</a>

Such stories intrigue space enthusiasts; also conspiracy theorists as they come up with unproven ideas about the presence of aliens and UFOs. These images have gone viral on social media forums.&nbsp;

However, it is understood that the object spotted by Yutu 2 is not an obelisk or aliens as it can be boulders, which are usually formed by impacts of landings. But&nbsp;the images are something to check out as it's difficult to ascertain anything from the image.&nbsp;

For the unversed, Yutu 2 made the first-ever soft landing on the far side on the Moon in January 2019.&nbsp;

ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/this-black-box-for-earth-will-record-everything-as-our-civilisation-dies-434646">This 'black box for Earth' will record everything as our civilisation dies</a>

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Ah. We have an update from Yutu-2 on the lunar far side, including an image of a cubic shape on the northern horizon ~80m away from the rover in Von Kármán crater. Referred to as "神秘小屋" ("mystery house"), the next 2-3 lunar days will be spent getting closer to check it out. <a href="https://t.co/LWPZoWN05I">pic.twitter.com/LWPZoWN05I</a>
— Andrew Jones (@AJ_FI) <a href="https://twitter.com/AJ_FI/status/1466677831929405443?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 3, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Yutu 2 was was launched on December 2018 and it entered lunar orbit on December 2018. It made the first soft landing on the Moon's far side on January 3 in 2019. Yutu-2 is currently operational as the first lunar rover on the far side.

The rover and Chang'e-4 lander are now into their 37th lunar day of activities and Yutu-2 could be approaching a total drive distance of 900 metres.&nbsp;

The Chinese Yutu 2 rover has spotted a mysterious cube-shaped object on the far side of the moon - nearly 80m away from the rover in Von Kármán crater, as mentioned in the media reports.

The Chinese Yutu 2 rover has spotted a mysterious cube-shaped object on the far side of the moon - nearly 80m away from the rover in Von Kármán crater, as mentioned in the media reports. Reports also added that the object has been referred to as a "mystery house" and in the next two to three lunar days, the rover will attempt to get closer and check it out. SPACE.com reported, Yutu 2 spotted the object on the horizon to the north in November during the mission's 36th lunar day, according to a Yutu 2 diary published by Our Space. It is an outreach channel affiliated with the China National Space Administration (CNSA). ALSO READ | NASA to announce fresh names for its astronaut program soon Such stories intrigue space enthusiasts; also conspiracy theorists as they come up with unproven ideas about the presence of aliens and UFOs. These images have gone viral on social media forums. However, it is understood that the object spotted by Yutu 2 is not an obelisk or aliens as it can be boulders, which are usually formed by impacts of landings. But the images are something to check out as it's difficult to ascertain anything from the image. For the unversed, Yutu 2 made the first-ever soft landing on the far side on the Moon in January 2019. ALSO READ | This 'black box for Earth' will record everything as our civilisation dies Ah. We have an update from Yutu-2 on the lunar far side, including an image of a cubic shape on the northern horizon ~80m away from the rover in Von Kármán crater. Referred to as "神秘小屋" ("mystery house"), the next 2-3 lunar days will be spent getting closer to check it out. pic.twitter.com/LWPZoWN05I — Andrew Jones (@AJ_FI) December 3, 2021 × Yutu 2 was was launched on December 2018 and it entered lunar orbit on December 2018. It made the first soft landing on the Moon's far side on January 3 in 2019. Yutu-2 is currently operational as the first lunar rover on the far side. The rover and Chang'e-4 lander are now into their 37th lunar day of activities and Yutu-2 could be approaching a total drive distance of 900 metres.

'Mysterious' object spotted by Chinese Yutu 2 rover on far side of the Moon