China’s Chang’e-6 spacecraft achieved a significant milestone by entering lunar orbit late Tuesday, marking progress toward its mission of collecting samples from the far side of the moon.

The orbiter successfully executed a braking maneuver, slowing its velocity to be captured by the moon’s gravity, as announced by the China National Space Administration (CNSA).

Launched on May 3, the spacecraft embarked on a four-day journey to reach the moon, aiming to collect samples from a region never explored before.

Utilizing its 3,000N engine, the orbiter now orbits in an elliptical path around the moon, with plans to release a cubesat named Icube-Q into lunar orbit before adjusting its orbit for a planned landing, Space News has reported.

Although the exact landing date is yet to be officially confirmed, it’s anticipated to occur around early June in the Apollo crater area within the South Pole-Aitken Basin (SPA).

This region is believed to hold materials from the moon’s mantle, offering valuable insights into lunar history and the differences between its near and far hemispheres.

Written by B.C. Begley