China's Chang'e-6 Mission Achieves Historic Milestone with Autonomous Mini Rover on Moon's Far Side

Image captured by the mini rover.
 Image source:  China Aerospace Science and Technology Cooperation (CASC)

A recent photo of the Chinese Chang'e-6 probe's lander-ascender combination on the far side of the moon marks a historic achievement in lunar exploration.

The image was captured by a mini rover carried to the moon by the Chang'e-6 mission.

The probe has collected samples from the moon's far side and is currently in lunar orbit, awaiting the optimal time for its return journey.

The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), the developer, reported that the autonomous, intelligent mini robot was attached to the lander during the mission's journey to the moon and its landing.

After Chang'e-6 collected samples, the mini rover detached autonomously from the lander, moved to an appropriate position, selected the ideal angle, and captured the image.

Weighing around 5 kilograms, the mini rover is significantly lighter than Yutu, China's first lunar rover, which weighed about the same as two adults.

Despite its smaller size, the mini rover boasts advanced capabilities and enhanced autonomous intelligence, according to CASC.

This innovative action represents a major advancement in autonomous intelligence for China's deep space exploration, with promising implications for future lunar missions, CASC added.