China's Chang'e-4 Probe Gains Achievements for Future Lunar Exploration

The Chang'e-4 probe has collected more than 3TB of scientific data and several original achievements since its arrival at the far side of the Moon in January 2019, laying a solid foundation for study of the Moon's formation and China's future lunar exploration.

Thanks to the collected data scientists uncovered the impact history of the far side of the Moon, particularly the South Pole-Aitken basin – the largest impact basin on the Moon -- which provides key evidence regarding the formation of the lunar soil and the evolutionary model of the Moon.

The data also helps unveil the underground structure of the Moon's far side, which greatly increases knowledge of lunar collisions and volcanic activities.

What's more, research on micro interaction between solar wind and lunar surface is also supported by the data. The research improved scientists' cognition of radiological hazards on the lunar surface.

The Chang'e 4 probe also played a role in the study of solar and lunar radio waves at low frequencies.

So far, the lander and Yutu-2 rover of the probe, primarily developed by China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, have worked for 21 lunar days on the far side of the moon. Both devices are in sound operation and will continue their accurate scientific exploration work.

A photo of the lander of the Chang'e 4 probe [Photo/sasac.gov.cn] 

(Executive editor: Wang Ruoting)