Chang'e 6

First-ever sample return from the lunar far side.

Coordinates

-41.63, -153.98 (positive-east)

Era

C (2020-present)

Parent mission

Chang'e 6

Role

sample-return stack

Operator

CNSA

Nation

China

Launched (UTC)

2024-05-03

Reached Moon (UTC)

2024-06-01 landing

Event type

sample-return

Outcome

success

Site

Apollo basin, SPA basin

Left on surface

descent stage; ICUBE-Q (Pakistan)

Returned material

~1.9 kg far-side soil

Current status

samples on Earth; ascender impacted; orbiter variable

Operational status (derived)

inactive

Source grade

primary

Review note

single-tier source (cross-check pending)

Primary source