China’s Chang’e-6 lunar probe brought back 1.9kg of rock samples, space agency says

The samples, collected from the unexplored far side of the moon, were handed over to the Chinese Academy of Sciences on Friday

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The spacecraft’s return capsule is opened during a ceremony at the China Academy of Space Technology in Beijing on Wednesday. Photo: Xinhua

Published: 6:00pm, 28 Jun 2024Updated: 6:08pm, 28 Jun 2024

The Chang’e-6 probe brought back over 1.9kg of samples from the unexplored far side of the moon – more than China’s previous lunar mission, according to its space agency.

The lunar rock samples were handed over to the Chinese Academy of Sciences at a ceremony in Beijing on Friday, three days after the Chang’e-6 returned to Earth from its historic mission.

“According to preliminary calculations, the Chang’e-6 mission collected 1,935.3 grams [4.26lb] of lunar samples,” the China National Space Administration (CNSA) said in a statement.

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China’s Chang’e-6 mission returns to Earth with first samples from moon’s far side

The samples were collected from the far side of the moon – the first time this has been done – at an impact crater known as the South Pole-Aitken Basin, which always faces away from Earth.

“After the samples are safely transported to the lunar sample laboratory, the researchers of the ground application system will carry out the storage and processing of the lunar samples as planned, and start scientific research,” the CNSA said.

Hu Hao, chief designer of the mission, told reporters on Thursday that the goal for both Chang’e-6 and the previous Chang’e-5 mission was to collect 2kg (4.4lb) of lunar samples.

“Our container is designed to be only so large, so we can’t add any more,” Hu said.