China’s Chang’e-6 lunar mission successfully returned after collecting rocks and soil from the far side of the Moon, a first in history. This 53-day mission is a major scientific accomplishment, with the samples potentially offering new insights into how planets form. China is now the only nation to have landed on the far side of the Moon, a challenging feat due to distance and terrain

China’s Chang’e-6 Makes History

China’s lunar mission, Chang’e-6, has successfully returned to Earth carrying samples from the previously unexplored far side of the Moon. The probe landed in Inner Mongolia on Tuesday after a challenging nearly two-month mission, heralded as a significant scientific achievement. Researchers are eagerly anticipating the samples as they hold potential to provide insights into planetary formation processes.

China stands alone as the sole nation to achieve a lunar landing on the far side of the Moon, a feat first accomplished in 2019. This region, perpetually facing away from Earth, poses formidable challenges due to its distance and rugged terrain marked by vast craters and limited flat areas. Launching in early May, Chang’e 6 successfully touched down near the Moon’s south pole several weeks later.

Equipped with a drill and robotic arm, the probe collected soil and rock samples, captured surface images, and ceremonially planted a Chinese flag. Beijing has invested heavily in its space program over the past decade, striving to compete with the United States and Russia in this frontier of exploration.