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China hands over humankind's 1st moon far side samples to researchers

The return capsule of the Chang'e-6 lunar probe is seen after landing in Siziwang Banner, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, June 25, 2024. /CMG
The return capsule of the Chang'e-6 lunar probe is seen after landing in Siziwang Banner, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, June 25, 2024. /CMG

The return capsule of the Chang'e-6 lunar probe is seen after landing in Siziwang Banner, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, June 25, 2024. /CMG

Chinese space program engineers presented researchers in Beijing with the first lunar samples ever collected from the moon's far side on Wednesday.

The samples were retrieved by the Chang'e-6 probe, which completed its 53-day mission to the moon to collect samples and returned to Earth on Tuesday.

Scientists now have the crucial task of storing and analyzing the samples in the hope of unlocking new secrets about the moon's history and formation.

Click here to learn more about the historic Chang'e-6 mission and China's space program.

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