China’s lunar spacecraft, Chang’e-6, lifted off from the far side of the moon on Tuesday, June 4, with rock and soil samples. The spacecraft deployed China’s flag on the moon’s surface before entering orbit.
“Mission accomplished!” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying wrote on X. “An unprecedented feat in human lunar exploration history!”
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The probe launched in May and landed on the far side of the moon on Sunday, June 2. The samples are expected back on Earth around June 25.
The country has made significant progress in space exploration, including launching a space station. China developed its own space station after being barred from the International Space Station due to U.S. security concerns.
The U.S. was wary of China’s military having complete control over the space program, reflecting the escalating tech rivalry between the two nations.
The returned samples are expected to provide new insights into the moon’s geology and history. China aims to put a person on the moon by 2030.
