Chang'e 6

Chinese uncrewed lunar expedition. Chang'e 6 was launched on May 3, 2024 aboard a Chang Zheng 5 from Wenchang. Latest status in GCAT: left Earth orbit for deep space (May 4, 2024).

COSPAR 2024-083ANORAD 59627China

Identity

Name in GCAT: Chang'e-6 Guidao Qi
Common name: Chang'e 6
Payload designation: Chang'e-6 Orbiter
International designator: 2024-083A
NORAD catalog number: 59627
GCAT identifier: S59627

Mission

Mission type: Deep space
Use: Civil government
Program: Chang'e
Owner: LDSE
Country: China
Builder: Shanghai Academy of Space Technology (CASC 8th Acad)
Platform (bus): CE-6

Launch

Date: May 3, 2024 · 09:27 UTC
Launch record: 2024-083Success
Rocket: Chang Zheng 5
Spaceport: Wenchang · pad LC101

Orbit and fate

Orbit class (GCAT): CLO
Perigee: 267 km
Apogee: 386,843 km
Inclination: 24.51°
Status: Left Earth orbit for deep space
Status date: May 4, 2024
Last known active: May 3, 2024

Size

Mass: 3,406 kg
Dry mass: 950 kg
Total mass with attached objects: 8,250 kg
Length: 2.0 m
Diameter: 4.00 m
Span: 10.0 m

Deep space

Deep-space catalog entry: D01158
Final central body: Luna
Phase start: May 7, 2024
Phase outcome: Entered orbit around the target · May 8, 2024

Flight phases

From	Central body	Ended	Outcome	Next
May 4, 2024	Earth	May 7, 2024	Escaped to another body	Luna
May 8, 2024	Luna	Jun 20, 2024	Left orbit around the target	—
Jun 20, 2024	Luna	Jun 21, 2024	Escaped to another body	Earth
Jun 21, 2024	Earth	September 2024	Escaped to another body	SEL2
September 2024	SEL2	2025	Escaped to another body	Earth
2025	Earth	Dec 11, 2025	Escaped to another body	Luna
Dec 11, 2025	Luna	Dec 13, 2025	Escaped to another body	Earth
Dec 13, 2025	Earth	—	In orbit	—

Launched together

ICUBE-QDeep space · IST

Source: GCAT payload, deep-space and lander catalogs, Jonathan C. McDowell (CC BY 4.0); Wikidata Q18346001 (CC0).