China's secretive Chang'e 6 mission to Moon sparks intrigue and concern

NEW DELHI: China's latest lunar mission, Chang'e 6, launched last week with an undisclosed rover aboard, is raising eyebrows due to its secretive nature and potential military implications. Observers have noted a mysterious spacecraft, which new images reveal strapped to the side of the Chang'e 6 lander. This spacecraft is scheduled to land on the far side of the Moon next month, marking a historic attempt by China to be the first nation to return rock samples from that region.

The mission's main payload will aim to collect approximately 2 kilograms of lunar rocks from a crater near the Moon’s south pole and return them to Earth. This initiative includes international payloads from France, Sweden, Italy, and Pakistan, showcasing a degree of global cooperation. However, the surprise presence of a small, gray wheeled object alongside the lander has sparked additional curiosity and speculation, a report in the Independent said.

Andrew Jones, a journalist who closely follows China’s space missions, commented on social media platform X, saying, "That looks like a previously undisclosed mini rover on the side of the Chang’e-6 lander." The rover's exact purpose remains unclear, though it is equipped with an infrared imaging spectrometer provided by the Shanghai Institute of Ceramics.

This is not the first instance of secrecy in China's lunar explorations. In 2022, a rocket booster suspected to be from China crashed onto the Moon, creating an unusual crater and carrying what many believe was a secret payload. Despite Chinese officials denying these claims, evidence suggests it was indeed a Long March 3C rocket body from China's own Chang’e 5-T1 mission.

Nasa's chief, Bill Nelson, has expressed concerns about the dual nature of China’s space endeavors. "China has made extraordinary strides, especially in the last 10 years, but they are very, very secretive," Nelson said, highlighting the blurred lines between China's civilian and military space activities. He warned US lawmakers, "We believe that a lot of their so-called civilian space programme is a military programme. And I think, in effect, we are in a race,” urging the United States to maintain vigilance.