BEIJING, CHINA – China made history in the realm of space exploration as its Chang’e 6 probe successfully returned to Earth on Tuesday with rock and soil samples from the far side of the moon. This remarkable achievement marks the first mission to collect samples from this unexplored region of Earth’s natural satellite.

The probe touched down in the Inner Mongolia region of northern China on Tuesday afternoon, bringing with it the anticipation of answering long-standing questions surrounding the differences between the moon’s near and far sides. Scientists are eager to analyze samples that may include 2.5-million-year-old volcanic rock and other materials that could shed light on the geological history of the moon.

Unlike previous U.S. and Soviet missions that focused on the moon’s near side, China’s mission to the far side presented unique challenges. Mission controllers had to rely on a Chinese satellite orbiting the moon to communicate with the Chang’e 6 probe, as direct contact from Earth was not possible in that region.

The far side of the moon has long captivated scientists due to its distinct features, such as mountains and impact craters, which differ from the flatter terrain visible from Earth. By studying samples from this region, researchers hope to uncover new insights into the moon’s formation and evolution, potentially revealing evidence of past meteorite strikes.

The successful return of the Chang’e 6 probe is yet another milestone for China’s ambitious space program, which aims to land Chinese astronauts on the moon by 2030 and establish a lunar base in the future. This goal has sparked competition with other nations, such as the U.S. and India, who also have lunar exploration aspirations.

China’s achievements in recent years, including the Chang’e 4 mission that landed a probe on the moon’s far side in 2019, demonstrate the country’s growing prominence in space exploration. The retrieval and analysis of samples from the moon’s far side could provide crucial insights into the moon’s geological history, advancing our understanding of the solar system’s formation.

As Chinese scientists prepare to study the samples brought back by the Chang’e 6 probe, the world eagerly awaits the discoveries that may emerge from this groundbreaking mission. China’s continued progress in lunar exploration reinforces its position as a key player in the global space race, with the potential to unlock new scientific discoveries that could reshape our understanding of the universe.