Xinhua News Agency:

The landform is very complex on the moon's far side, where communication is limited. What advanced technologies or strategies were used to ensure the lander's safe landing and effective sampling during the 53-day intricate mission to explore the moon's far side? Also, how did the research team ensure the high reliability of the probe during the research and development process? Thank you.

Bian Zhigang:

This really was a huge challenge. I would like to invite Mr. Lin to answer your questions.

Lin Yiming:

Thank you for your questions. Our mission was to enable the Chang'e-6 lunar probe to collect samples from the moon's far side and bring them back. At the beginning of the research and development, we were already aware of the great difficulties, challenges and risks we would face, such as the complex landform on the moon's far side and high requirements for the timing of the sampling. When the probe lifted off from the moon's far side, the ground could not provide support, hence the probe's take-off mainly depended on our monitoring and control of orbit-related calculations. To back up this work, our team made breakthroughs in the design and control of the lunar retrograde orbit, intelligent sampling on the moon's far side, autonomous lift-off on the moon's far side, and other relevant key technologies, completing reliable and safe sampling work and bringing the samples back.

As for how the mission's success was ensured, Mr. Hu has already mentioned related measures. I would like to add a few more.

First, we designed the probe based on system engineering technologies, focusing on the probe's comprehensive integration and optimized design. When selecting the flight orbit, we used our experience from previous missions and took into account the relationship between the Chang'e-6 and Chang'e-5 probes, as Chang'e-6 was originally designed as a backup for Chang'e-5. One of the considerations was on the configuration and layout. Moreover, we overcame various constraints in terms of resources, such as the area for sampling, illumination on the moon's far side, as well as measurement and control conditions, and designed a retrograde orbital flight plan, providing an optimal and highly efficient design plan for the entire system.

Second, emphasis was placed on risk recognition and control throughout the research and development process to ensure the lunar probe's high quality and reliability. Based on the characteristics of the Chang'e-6 mission, we implemented thorough measures for risk recognition and control in both technology and management, utilizing specialized methods for aerospace products. Carrying forward China's space industry's spirit and fine traditions, we adhered to the "zero-defect" management philosophy and maintained a rigorous and meticulous work style. In line with aerospace quality processes, we addressed every doubt, potential issue, or problem to achieve our goal of doing things right the first time. As you know, there are more than one thousand actions during the flight process, and we executed each one precisely.

Third, significant work was done to improve quality management from good to excellent to accomplish the mission. We established a quality management system for China's aerospace science and technology that is scientifically structured, process-optimized, efficient, collaborative, and continuously improving. By managing the quality of all personnel, elements, processes, and data and carrying out a series of activities that included organizational oversight, independent evaluations, credibility building, and verification, major projects, represented by the lunar exploration program, have been successfully completed with high quality and efficiency.

The complete success of the Chang'e-6 mission is a historic achievement made under the strong leadership, close attention, and dedicated care of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core. It is also a remarkable fruit achieved by leveraging the strengths of the new system for mobilizing resources nationwide to realize greater self-reliance and strength in science and technology. Looking forward, we will bear in mind our mission of building up China’s strength in aerospace, promote the spirit of China's space industry and lunar exploration program, and continuously implement the country's major space projects, including deep space exploration. This will enable us to contribute more to boosting China’s aerospace strength and advancing national rejuvenation. Thank you.