China made history on Tuesday by successfully returning a capsule full of lunar rocks from the far side of the moon to Earth, marking another significant achievement in its ambitious space exploration program.
The sample, collected by the China National Space Administration’s Chang’e-6 lander after a 53-day mission, showcases China’s expanding space capabilities and adds to its string of successful lunar missions that began in 2007.
A planetary geologist at China University of Geosciences, Long Xiao, described the mission as the first in human history to retrieve samples from the far side of the moon, calling it a major event for scientists worldwide and a cause for celebration for humanity.
“Chang’e-6 is the first mission in human history to return samples from the far side of the moon,” Long Xiao, wrote in an email. “This is a major event for scientists worldwide,” he added, and “a cause for celebration for all humanity.”
The mission’s success underscores China’s growing presence in space exploration, contrasting views in Washington and elsewhere that see it as part of a 21st-century space race with geopolitical implications.
China’s approach to lunar exploration has been methodical, with a series of missions under the Chang’e program.
Chang’e-3 landed on the near side of the moon in 2013, followed by Chang’e-4, which touched down on the far side in 2019.
Chang’e-5 brought back nearly four pounds of lunar regolith from the near side to Earth in 2020, making China the third country to achieve this feat after the US and the Soviet Union.
Chang’e-6, launched on May 3, aimed to bring back material from the far side of the moon.
After spending a few weeks in lunar orbit, the lander descended to the South Pole-Aitken basin, the moon’s oldest and deepest impact crater.
Equipped with a sampling arm, a drill, and a mechanical scoop, the lander collected lunar rock and dust from the surface and subsurface.
The mission also deployed a miniature rover that captured images of the lander with a Chinese flag raised.
The sample canister was flung back into lunar orbit by a rocket on June 3 and reunited with a spacecraft that prepared to return to Earth.
On Tuesday, the sample container re-entered Earth’s atmosphere and landed in Inner Mongolia, where ground crews recovered it.
Scientists will analyze the far-side soils to compare them with samples from the near side, aiming to understand how the moon’s two halves evolved differently.
The mission team will also study material blasted away from surrounding regions by impacts, which could provide insights into the moon’s interior composition and history.
China’s long-term strategy includes crewed missions to the moon by 2030 and the eventual construction of an international base at the lunar south pole.
This period “totally changed the geological history of the moon,” Dr. Qian said, and was also “a critical time for the evolution of the Earth.”
NASA’s Artemis campaign has similar goals for the lunar south pole, but political tensions may hinder collaboration between American and Chinese scientists.
Despite these challenges, many scientists see space exploration as a shared endeavor that can bring nations together. International collaboration, particularly between major spacefaring nations like China and the United States, could pave the way for more discoveries and advancements in our understanding of the solar system.
“Lunar exploration is a shared endeavor for all humanity,” Dr. Xiao said, adding that he hopes for increased international collaboration, “particularly between major spacefaring nations like China and the United States.”
Clive Neal, a planetary geologist at the University of Notre Dame, expressed excitement for the discoveries that will follow the sample’s return, considering China’s streak of lunar success as “excellent.” He stated, “More power to them.”
However, many scientists reject the idea of an international space race, citing the decline in resources for studying the moon after the US beat the Soviets in 1969.
Dr. Neal said, “I don’t like international space races, because they’re not sustainable. A race is to be won. Once you win it, then what?” He emphasized the importance of viewing space as a unifying force.
The participation of several countries in the Chang’e-6 mission, including France and Pakistan, is seen as a positive sign for the future by Chinese researchers.
