A few months ago, the remains of a Chinese rocket crashed into the far side of our moon and left two craters instead of one. To explain this, researchers invoke a mysterious allegation made by the mission today.
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In March 2022, something hit the far side of the moon, in the Hertzsprung crater region. Researchers have predicted this. The remains of a rocket that they had been tracking for several weeks.
Case closed ? No,not at all. Because this collision surprisingly left not one but two potholes. And then researchers wondered how this was possible.
Data confirms involvement of Chinese rockets
Today, engineers from the University of Arizona (United States) confirm this Planetary Science Journal It is actually a booster for the Long March 3C rocket of the Chang’e 5-T1 mission, a rocket launched by the Chinese space agency in 2014, which crashed on the Moon about two years ago. But they also suggest that something may have been hidden regarding this propellant. Because according to the light curves that researchers use to characterize floating objects, it was surprisingly balanced. However as a rocket body, it had to lean towards its engines weighing more than 1,000 kg.
This discovery is ultimately consistent with the formation of two impact craters on the Moon. The two craters are spread about 30 meters apart. However, the object fell almost straight on the ground. “To get there, you’ll need an object that has two nearly equal masses far apart.”Tanner Campbell, lead author of the work, explains in a press release from the University of Arizona.
The charge of the Chinese rocket will undoubtedly remain mysterious
Remember that China has always claimed that the upper stage of its Long March 3C rocket burned up in our Earth’s atmosphere. Thus, Tanner Campbell believes that “We may never know” What might have balanced the object – additional support structure, additional equipment, or something else.