Chang’e-6 ascends to lunar orbit

According to the China National Space Administration (CNSA), the Chang’e-6 lunar lander has successfully transferred into the lunar ascender module the soil samples collected from the Apollo crater, located in the South Pole-Aitkin impact basin on the far side of the Moon. On 3 June 2024, at 23:38 UTC (4 June, at 07:38 China Standard Time), the Chang’e-6 lunar ascender has lifted off from the Apollo crater and successfully entered the planned lunar orbit after about 6 minutes. Credit: China Central Television (CCTV)/China National Space Administration (CNSA)