Overview

• Chang'e 6, launched on May 3, has successfully entered lunar orbit, with plans to land on the far side of the Moon to collect and return samples.
• The discovery of a small rover attached to the lander was not previously disclosed, sparking intrigue about its specific scientific roles.
• Equipped with an infrared spectrometer, the rover may analyze lunar soil composition and search for water, although its operational lifespan could be brief.
• The mission targets the Apollo crater within the South Pole-Aitken Basin, a site believed to hold crucial geological insights from the lunar mantle.
• If successful, this mission will mark the first time samples from the Moon's far side are returned to Earth, contributing significantly to lunar science.