China’s Chang’e 6 mission, launched in May, is poised to make history by landing on the far side of the Moon, a challenging and unexplored territory.

The mission aims to gather precious rocks and soil from this region, potentially uncovering some of the Moon’s oldest rocks from a vast crater on its South Pole.

However, this endeavor is not without risks, as communication with spacecraft on the far side of the Moon is exceptionally challenging.

Since its launch, the Chang’e 6 spacecraft has been orbiting the Moon, awaiting its crucial landing.

Scheduled for Sunday, the lander component will detach from the orbiter and attempt a historic landing on the Moon’s permanently hidden face, the BBC reported.

If successful, the mission will spend up to three days collecting materials, offering scientists a rare opportunity to study rocks never seen before.

This endeavor could yield valuable insights into planetary formation, the origin of water in the solar system, and other fundamental questions.

Equipped with a drill and mechanical arm, the probe aims to gather approximately 2kg of material, focusing on the South Pole–Aitken basin, a colossal impact crater that could provide access to material from deep within the lunar mantle.

The exploration of the Moon’s South Pole holds significant importance for future lunar missions, as it is believed to harbor ice, making it a promising frontier for scientific discovery.

Written by B.C. Begley