As the nation prepares to view the moon at its fullest and brightest this Mid-Autumn Day, Chinese engineers for China's space program unveiled more Chang'e-6 designs and highlighted the lunar probe mission's pioneering retrograde orbiting style.

The Chang'e-6 mission, which brought back the world's first samples from the moon's far side in June, also made history by pioneering retrograde orbiting, an innovative approach to space travel. 

"The technical challenges were huge," said Zhang Wu from the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC). "We had to modify an existing Chang'e-5 backup to serve for a new target."

Unlike the relatively smooth near side, the moon's far side has a multitude of craters and a more rugged terrain.

CASC's Zhang Yuhua told China Media Group that the team chose retrograde orbiting to adapt to the lighting conditions on the moon's far side.

"For Chang'e-5, which worked north of the moon's equator, the sunlight came from the south," Zhang said. "But on the far side, the light came from the north, introducing big problems for heat control unless we use the retrograde orbit."

"The use of the orbit was successful, ensuring that the sampling was done with adequate lighting," Zhang added.

Named after a Chinese moon goddess who carries the wish of the Chinese people to explore the moon, the Chang'e series is a testament to China's scientific and technological perseverance and success.

(Cover via CFP. Fan Ming contributed to the story.)