01:10
China will launch the Chang’e-6 lunar probe in early May, China Media Group learned from the China National Space Administration (CNSA) on Saturday.
The Chang’e-6 lunar probe and Long March-5 Y8 carrier rocket were transferred to the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site in the southern province of Hainan on Saturday.
Functional checks, joint test work and propellant filling will be carried out before the launch.
After the lunar probe and carrier rocket arrived at the launch site in January and March, respectively, the assembly, testing and other preparations were successively completed.
The probe is set to collect samples from the far side of the moon in a mission that will be the first of its kind in human history.
The Chang’e-7 is scheduled to be launched around 2026, and Chang’e-8 around 2028. Chang’e-7 and Chang’e-8 will form the basic model for a lunar research station to carry out further exploration of the lunar environment, according to CNSA.
(With input from Xinhua)