Chinese spaceship carrying samples from the far side of the Moon is on its way back to Earth

China’s Chang’e-6 probe successfully transferred samples collected from the dark side of the Moon to a spacecraft orbiting the Moon on Thursday. The unmanned spacecraft will now return to Earth and is expected to land in China’s Inner Mongolia region on June 25. If successful, China will be the first country to gather lunar material from the side of the moon that is always facing away from Earth.

The Chang’e-6 probe launched from the far side of the moon on Tuesday and spent two days on the surface collecting samples. The mission is a matter of national pride for China, with thousands of tourists flocking to witness the probe’s launch in May. Every step of the mission, from landing on the dark side of the moon to its return to Earth, is closely followed on Chinese social media.

The successful transfer of samples is significant as scientists hope to gain insights into the origins of the solar system. Meanwhile, in the US, there is growing concern about China’s advancements in space exploration. NASA chief Bill Nelson congratulated China on the mission but urged them to be more transparent about their activities.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Mao Ning hailed the Chang’e-6 mission as a historic step for the peaceful use of outer space. He criticized US laws like the Wolf Amendment, which restrict NASA’s cooperation with China. Mao expressed that such laws hinder the normal exchange and dialogue between the space agencies of the two countries.

Concerns about a “space race” between the US and China have been raised, especially regarding lunar resources like water. Despite these challenges, China sees the Chang’e-6 mission as a milestone in space exploration and hopes to continue expanding its capabilities in the future.