China's Queqiao-2 satellite successfully locked into lunar orbit

The China National Space Administration (CNSA) has announced that Queqiao-2 has completed functional and performance tests in lunar orbit, which will allow it to launch a mission to the invisible side of the Moon soon.

Here's What We Know

The confirmation of Queqiao-2's operation is the last step before China launches its Chang'e-6 mission to the lunar invisible side. The upcoming operation will be a continuation of Chang'e-5 in 2020, which managed to collect 1731 grams of lunar material from the visible side.

Chang'e-6 is scheduled to be launched on 3 May, and this time the mission's goal is to collect up to 2,000 grams of rock samples from Apollo Crater on the lunar backside. If Chang'e-6 delivers lunar material to Earth, it could provide new insights into the history of the Moon and the differences between its sides.

Queqiao-2 was deployed in lunar orbit to have a constant connection with the spacecraft that will land on the dark hemisphere, which will never be returned to Earth. The Chinese satellite is a kind of signal relay between the ground stations and Chang'e-6 on the invisible side of the moon.

Source: Space News