China has taken samples from the far side of the Moon, its probe is heading to Earth

A world first. The ascent module of the Chinese Chang’e-6 probe successfully took off from the lunar surface on Tuesday, June 4, and carried samples from the far side of the Moon, according to the Chinese Space Administration. This announcement marks a new stage in China’s ambitious space program, which aims to send a manned mission to the Moon by 2030.

The device “took off from the lunar surface on Tuesday morning carrying samples collected on the far side of the Moon, an unprecedented feat in the history of human lunar exploration”, declared the official Xinhua news agency, citing the Chinese Space Administration (CNSA). After takeoff, the module “entered a predefined orbit around the Moon”added the CNSA.

Chang’e-6 landed on Sunday in the immense South Pole-Aitken basin, one of the largest known impact craters in the solar system, located on the far side of the Moon, according to the Chinese Space Administration. The probe’s mission, with a planned duration of 53 days, began on May 3. It has a drill to recover samples from below the surface, and a robotic arm to grab material directly from the surface.

Samples taken from the far side could help us learn more about the formation and history of Earth’s natural satellite. They will also allow us to better understand “the origin of the solar system” and to better prepare for future explorations, underlined a spokesperson for the mission.