Imagine holding a piece of the Moon in your lab—this vision just got closer to reality. At the International Astronautical Congress (IAC 2025) in Sydney, China announced it is opening international applications for the second batch of lunar samples collected by its Chang'e-5 mission.
Building on a successful return mission, China’s space industry is extending a global invitation to scientists, entrepreneurs, and students to dive into lunar research. CGTN reporter Chen Yilin highlights how this move underscores a growing commitment to shared discovery and scientific partnerships across continents.
From analyzing lunar soil to studying the Moon’s geological history, the samples offer unique insights for projects in materials science, planetary geology, and even astrobiology. By welcoming proposals from teams worldwide, the initiative aims to bridge institutions in G20 nations and beyond, fuelling innovation and cross-border collaboration.
The call for proposals will remain open until mid-year, with selected projects slated to receive their lunar samples early next year. Researchers can submit plans detailing their experiment goals and team expertise, tapping into a new chapter of international space cooperation.
As nations and private ventures accelerate their lunar ambitions, China’s collaborative approach signals a shift toward more inclusive exploration. For young scientists and tech enthusiasts, these samples represent both a challenge and an opportunity to push the boundaries of human knowledge—together.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
