China’s Chang'e-6 lunar mission just hit a major milestone by slipping into its planned orbit around the moon! The China National Space Administration (CNSA) confirmed the probe executed a precision “near-moon braking” maneuver at 10:12 a.m. Beijing Time, slowing just enough to get snagged by lunar gravity. Think of it like catching the perfect wave
– it sets the stage for history-making science!
With the Queqiao-2 satellite playing cosmic DJ to relay signals, Chang'e-6 will now tweak its path before splitting into two modules. The lander-ascender duo aims to touch down gently in the South Pole-Aitken Basin – a massive crater on the moon’s far side – to scoop up samples. If successful, this could unlock secrets about the moon’s formation we’ve never seen before!
This mission isn’t just sci-fi becoming reality; it’s a giant leap for international lunar research. Stay tuned as China’s space program continues to push boundaries – next stop: interplanetary bragging rights!
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China's Chang'e-6 enters lunar orbit after near-moon braking
cgtn.com