HOUSTON, TX – NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter recently captured images of China’s Chang’e 6 spacecraft on the Moon, providing detailed insights into its location within the Apollo basin. The LRO’s high-resolution imagery revealed the lander’s position within a crater in the geologically significant region known for ancient basaltic flows.
On June 1, Chang’e 6 successfully landed on the lunar far side, with the LRO passing over the site nearly a week later to photograph the lander perched on the rim of a 55-yard-diameter crater. The precise coordinates of the landing site were calculated by the LRO Camera team, indicating the lander’s location at approximately 42 degrees south latitude, 206 degrees east longitude, at an elevation of about minus 3.27 miles.
Situated near the southern edge of the Apollo basin, the Chang’e 6 landing site showcases basaltic lava flows dating back approximately 3.1 billion years. These flows, originating south of Chaffee S crater, exhibit unique characteristics such as higher iron oxide and titanium dioxide abundances, distinguishing them from slightly older lava flows in the vicinity.
The LRO’s crucial role in lunar exploration extends beyond Chang’e 6, with the spacecraft serving as a vital tool in analyzing the Moon’s surface features and mineral resources. Equipped with advanced instruments, including high-resolution cameras and laser altimeters, the LRO aids in identifying potential landing sites for future missions and understanding the Moon’s geology in greater detail.
Moreover, the LRO’s extensive data collection has led to groundbreaking discoveries, such as the confirmation of water ice in shadowed craters and the mapping of lunar surface temperatures. These findings, combined with ongoing research efforts, contribute to our understanding of the Moon’s potential as a resource-rich environment for future human and robotic exploration.