First Far Side Moon Samples are returning to Earth

China has achieved a groundbreaking feat by transferring the first-ever lunar samples from the Moon’s far side to the Chang’e-6 spacecraft, setting the stage for their return to Earth.

The Chang’e-6 probe’s ascender module successfully rendezvoused and docked with the orbiter-returner combination in lunar orbit last week, during which the lunar samples were transferred to the returner module. This crucial docking maneuver ensured the samples could be safely transported back to Earth.

Now, the orbiter-returner is preparing for the complex journey back to Earth, covering a distance of nearly 380,000 kilometers. The China National Space Administration (CNSA) has meticulously planned each stage of the return process. The spacecraft will spend the next two weeks orbiting the Moon, making necessary adjustments before it transitions to the Moon-Earth transfer orbit, marking a significant milestone in lunar exploration.

Chang’e-6 triumphantly landed on the far side of the Moon

This all happened after the world’s second soft-landing on the far side of the Moon. China previously has landed on the far side of the Moon. NASA crash landed in 1962, but was unable to communicate to Earth. This is another win for the Chinese Space Agency (CSNA) while the United States continues to build international support for the Artemis program.