China’s lunar probe has returned to Earth with the first samples from the unexplored far side of the moon.
After nearly two months of a risky mission, Chang’e-6 landed in the Inner Mongolia desert on Tuesday, state media reported.
Scientists are eagerly awaiting Chang’e 6 because the samples could answer key questions about how planets form.
China is the only country to land on the far side of the moon, having previously done so in 2019.
The far side away from Earth is technically difficult to reach due to its vast distance, complex terrain, huge craters and few flat surfaces.
Chang’e-6 was launched from the space center in early May and successfully landed in a crater near the moon’s south pole a few weeks later.
The rover used drills and robotic arms to dig up soil and rocks, took some photos of the surface, and planted a Chinese flag.
Over the past decade, Beijing has invested significant resources in its space program in an attempt to catch up with the United States and Russia.