China’s Chang’e-6 Mission Unveils New Lunar Mysteries from the Moon’s Far Side

China’s Chang'e-6 mission has achieved a significant milestone in lunar exploration by collecting and analyzing the first-ever samples from the Moon's far side.

This mission, building on the success of earlier Chang’e missions, brings new insights into the composition and geological history of the Moon’s South Pole-Aitken basin. Chinese researchers have already made breakthroughs in understanding the formation of this ancient lunar region, shedding light on the Moon’s early volcanic and impact activity.

Chang'e's Historic Collection of Far Side Lunar Samples

The Chang’e-6 mission, launched as part of China’s ambitious lunar exploration program, is the first in history to collect samples from the far side of the Moon. This region, which is never visible from Earth, has long been a subject of intrigue for scientists. Previous missions to the near side of the Moon, including the United States’ Apollo missions, have provided vast amounts of information. However, the far side, and particularly the South Pole-Aitken basin, remained largely unexplored.

The Chang’e-6 spacecraft landed in this unique region and collected approximately 1,935.3 grams of lunar material. These samples include both basaltic and non-basaltic materials, providing key insights into the geological evolution of the Moon's far side. The South Pole-Aitken basin, one of the largest and oldest impact craters in the solar system, has long been suspected of containing remnants from the Moon's early volcanic activity.

New Insights into the Moon's Volcanic and Impact History

The analysis of the samples collected by Chang’e-6 has already begun to offer new understanding of the Moon’s history. Researchers found that the samples contain both volcanic basalt and materials from ancient impact events. This indicates that the South Pole-Aitken basin experienced both significant volcanic activity and meteorite impacts during its formation. According to Chinese researchers, this combination of geological processes provides evidence that the Moon’s far side underwent different evolutionary processes compared to the near side.

In particular, the basaltic materials suggest a period of volcanic activity billions of years ago. This is crucial for understanding the thermal evolution of the Moon, as well as its tectonic history. The discovery of non-basaltic materials, likely originating from meteoritic impacts, further enhances our understanding of the bombardment history in the early solar system.

Geological Differences Between the Near and Far Sides of the Moon

One of the most important findings from the Chang’e-6 mission is the confirmation of significant geological differences between the Moon's near and far sides. The near side, where previous lunar missions have landed, is characterized by large maria—vast plains of solidified lava that are easily visible from Earth. The far side, however, lacks these large volcanic plains, presenting a much more rugged terrain.

The Chang’e-6 samples reveal that the far side’s composition is more complex, with a mixture of volcanic and impact-related materials. This geological diversity supports the hypothesis that the two sides of the Moon evolved differently due to variations in crust thickness, impact frequency, and volcanic activity. The thicker crust on the far side may have limited volcanic eruptions, which could explain the absence of large maria.

Future Implications for Lunar and Planetary Science

The discoveries from Chang’e-6 have far-reaching implications not only for lunar science but also for our broader understanding of planetary formation and evolution. The Moon’s far side offers a unique opportunity to study the history of the solar system, as its surface has remained largely untouched for billions of years. The detailed analysis of these samples could provide insights into the early solar system’s impact history, including the heavy bombardment period that shaped not only the Moon but also Earth and other terrestrial planets.

In addition, the successful landing and sample collection by Chang’e-6 demonstrate China’s growing capabilities in space exploration. With plans to establish a lunar research station and pursue further missions to the Moon and beyond, China is positioning itself as a major player in the global space community.