China's Chang'e-6 Mission Sets New Milestones with Lunar Far Side Landing and Sample Return

The mission, featuring a surprise rover and international payloads, aims to enhance understanding of the Moon's far side and assist future lunar colonization efforts.

Chang'e-6 launched from Wenchang, carrying the heaviest probe yet with new international instruments and a surprise rover.
Scheduled to land on the Moon's far side by early June, the mission will collect and return approximately 2 kg of lunar soil and rock samples.
The rover, equipped with an infrared imaging spectrometer, will analyze mineral compositions potentially crucial for future lunar resource utilization.
International collaboration features payloads from France, Italy, Sweden, and Pakistan, broadening the scientific scope of the mission.
Future missions, including Chang'e-7 and plans for taikonaut landings by 2030, are set to build on the data and experience from Chang'e-6.