In May 2024, China took another step forward in lunar exploration by successfully launching the Chang'e-6 space mission. For the first time in scientific history, this automatic station delivered to Earth soil fragments taken from the far side of the Moon, an area that scientists had previously only studied from a distance. Just 53 days later, on June 25, the mission ended with the successful landing of the capsule with lunar soil in Inner Mongolia, China. Chinese scientists immediately began analyzing the rare lunar materials and recently shared the results of their analysis. What does the mysterious far side of the Moon hide? What secrets can the delivered samples reveal?
Chinese scientists have revealed details about the properties and composition of the soil on the far side of the Moon. Image source: nasa.gov
Composition of the soil on the far side of the Moon
Analysis of the soil returned by the Chang'e-6 mission has shown that the soil on the far side of the Moon is different from what scientists have seen before.
Chinese researchers have found that the collected soil has a low density and its structure is quite loose and porous. This suggests that the surface of the Moon on this side has been subjected to multiple impacts from space. It is possible that the soil on the far side of the Earth's satellite became loose as a result of meteorite impacts. Interestingly, the particle size of the lunar soil was not uniform, which may indicate that the materials have different sources.
Soil samples from the far side of the moon. Image source: news.cctv.com
The chemical composition of the lunar soil was also unexpected. Scientists found basalt, breccia, cementite and glassy materials in it. It is noteworthy that basalt, which is formed from volcanic magma, made up 40% of the total volume of the samples. In addition, minerals such as pyroxene, plagioclase and ilmenite were found. At the moment, all this does not tell us anything, but the discovery will definitely help researchers better understand the geological processes that took place on the Moon billions of years ago.
What is the difference between the visible and invisible sides of the Moon
Ultimately, it turns out that the soil on the far side of the Moon is significantly different from the material that covers the visible side of the satellite. In 2020, during the Chang'e-5 space mission, Chinese scientists collected soil samples from the visible side. Of course, the researchers also studied the collected samples and learned a lot of interesting things. For example, the samples from four years ago had much less plagioclase and less olivine. This indicates that the far side of the Moon is dominated by non-basaltic materials, which adds new details to our understanding of the formation and evolution of the Earth's satellite.
By studying the lunar soil, scientists are slowly revealing the secrets of the Moon. Image source: phys.org
Read also: 5 mysteries of the solar system that scientists still can't solve
When will the Chang'e-7 mission take place
China will definitely not stop there. According to numerous sources, Chinese scientists are planning to implement the Chang'e-7 mission as early as 2026. This automatic interplanetary station will go to the south pole of the Moon together with the Rashid-2 lunar rover, which is currently being developed by the United Arab Emirates.
The main objective of Chang'e-7 will be to study the surface of the south pole of the Moon and the resources located there. In addition to the lander and rover, this mission will include an orbiter and a unique mini-flying probe. The latter will study the shadowed areas of lunar craters where water in icy form may be present. The probe will analyze water isotopes and other elements for the first time, which could give scientists key information about what lies hidden in the dark corners of the Moon.
It is too early to talk about China's manned mission to the Moon. Image source: ekd.me
In addition to all of the above, the Chang'e-7 orbiter will be equipped with a number of scientific instruments, including powerful cameras, radars, infrared and gamma spectrometers. The lander and rover will take with them a seismometer, magnetometer and other instruments for a thorough study of the lunar surface. For example, these devices will help scientists study moonquakes. These studies will help pave the way for future manned missions and the creation of a habitable base on the Moon.
The Chang'e-7 mission is just part of China's large-scale lunar exploration program. Exploration of the south pole, collection of resource data and unique scientific experiments bring us closer to one day making the Earth's satellite a permanent base for humanity.
Be sure to subscribe to our Zen channel. There are already more than 100 thousand of us!
If you are interested in what is not only on the surface, but also in the depths of the Earth's satellite, do not miss our article “Scientists finally know what is inside the Moon.”