China’s Chang’e-6 probe has successfully lifted off from the far side of the moon, starting its journey back to Earth. The China National Space Administration (CNSA) announced the departure at 7:38 am local time, marking a significant milestone as China aims to be the first country to return samples from the moon’s far side.
The probe, which conducted its sample collection between June 2-3, faced unique challenges due to the lack of direct communication with Earth, relying instead on the relay satellite Queqiao-2. The mission, which has captured global scientific interest, is expected to return its samples to China’s Inner Mongolia region around June 25. The successful mission has also sparked national pride, with images of the lunar surface and the Chinese flag going viral on social media.
