**Lunar Exploration: A Historic Collaboration between France and China**
For decades, space exploration has fascinated humanity, inspiring nations around the world to unite in major projects to unravel the mysteries of the universe. A new step has just been taken in this quest, with the launch of the Chinese Chang’e-6 probe, carrying on board a revolutionary instrument developed in collaboration with France: DORN.
DORN, or “Detection of outgassing Radon”, is a sophisticated tool designed by French scientists from IRAP in Toulouse. Its objective is to study the movement of radon on the surface of the Moon, a noble gas essential for understanding the presence of water on our natural satellite. This mission marks a major advance in the understanding of lunar geological processes.
The history of this Franco-Chinese collaboration has its roots in the two countries’ shared vision for space exploration. While China has established itself as a rising power in this field, France has brought its scientific and technological expertise to enrich this ambitious project. Sharing knowledge and resources helped overcome cultural and language barriers, paving the way for promising future collaborations.
The objective of the Chang’e-6 mission is to collect lunar samples from the far side of the Moon and bring them back to Earth for in-depth analysis. This audacious undertaking, lasting 53 days, marks a first Franco-Chinese cooperation outside Earth’s orbit, testifying to the common desire of the two countries to explore new horizons together.
By better understanding the distribution of gases on the lunar surface, particularly around the polar regions where the presence of frozen water has been detected, scientists hope to open new perspectives on the geological history of the Moon and on the possibilities of exploitation of its natural resources. This pioneering mission highlights not only the importance of international cooperation in space exploration, but also the potential for major scientific discoveries that will result from it.
Thus, the takeoff of the Chang’e-6 mission with the DORN instrument on board on May 3 marks the beginning of a new era of fruitful collaboration between France and China in the exploration of space. By joining forces and expertise, these two nations are paving the way for future joint missions and new discoveries that will enrich our knowledge of the universe and our place within it.