In a significant move towards fostering international cooperation in space exploration, China’s forthcoming lunar mission, Chang’e 6, is set to carry payloads from multiple countries, including Pakistan, as announced by the China National Space Administration (CNSA) on the social media platform Weibo. The mission is scheduled to commence its journey to the moon in the first half of 2024.
In addition to Pakistan, other nations participating in this collaborative effort include the European Space Agency, France, and Italy. Pakistan’s contribution to this endeavor is CubeSat, a satellite set to be launched into the moon’s orbit.
France’s payload includes machinery designed for conducting tests related to radioactive gas. The European Space Agency is sending its Negative Ion Detector, while Italy is contributing its Valle Brett Radar System, all of which will be transported to the moon aboard Chang’e 6.
The primary objective of this mission is to gather samples from various regions of the moon to gain additional insights into its age and composition. Distinguishing itself from previous lunar missions that focused on collecting near-surface samples, Chang’e 6 will explore data from the moon’s less illuminated “dark side.”
Following the successful conclusion of Chang’e 6, China is planning to launch the Chang’e 7 robotic mission to the moon’s south pole. This mission will aim to uncover clues about the presence of ice on the lunar surface while conducting in-depth examinations of the region’s atmosphere and weather patterns.
The Chang’e lunar exploration series will culminate with Chang’e 8, which has ambitious plans to potentially establish a research station on the moon. It’s worth noting that in 2013, China made history by becoming the third country in the world to collect lunar samples and safely return them to Earth. This international collaboration marks another significant step in advancing our understanding of the moon’s mysteries and reinforces the importance of partnerships in space exploration.
