China's ambitious Chang'e-6 mission has successfully gathered 1,935.3 grams of lunar samples from the moon's far side, marking a significant achievement in space exploration. The China National Space Administration (CNSA) announced the successful collection and subsequent handover of these samples to researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences during a ceremony in Beijing.
The return capsule of the Chang'e-6 probe made a historic landing in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region on June 25, bringing back the world's first samples from the moon's far side. According to Ge Ping, deputy director of the CNSA's Lunar Exploration and Space Engineering Center, the samples exhibit a higher viscosity and contain clumps, presenting unique observable characteristics compared to previous lunar samples.
Researchers are set to begin the storage, processing, and scientific analysis of these samples, with plans to initiate comprehensive research projects. The CNSA emphasized its commitment to sharing China's lunar exploration achievements with the international community, with applications for accessing the Chang'e-6 samples expected to open to domestic research institutions and scientists in approximately six months.
International scientists are also welcome to apply for access to the samples through relevant procedures, reflecting China's open and collaborative approach to space research. Building on the success of the Chang'e-5 mission, which led to over 80 significant scientific publications, the Chang'e-6 samples are anticipated to contribute to groundbreaking discoveries in areas such as lunar formation, space weathering, and resource utilization.
The ongoing exploration and study of lunar samples continue to enhance our understanding of the moon's geological history and its broader implications for space science and technology.
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Chang'e-6 collects 1,935.3 grams of samples from the moon's far side
cgtn.com
