Chang'e-6's 2024 far-side sample return

Chang'e-6 carried out the first lunar far-side sample return in 2024. The mission launched on 2024-06-04, and its ascender lifted off from the Moon's far side carrying lunar samples. The mission was recorded as fully successful on 2024-06-25.

Chang'e-6 launched on 2024-06-04. Its ascender lifted off from the Moon's far side carrying lunar samples, and the mission's recorded orbit was the planned lunar orbit. The mission was announced on 2024-06-25 and recorded as a complete success.

The mission was recorded as the world's first lunar far-side sampling and liftoff, and as the first human mission to return samples from the Moon's far side.

The International Lunar Research Station has cooperation agreements with 17 countries and international organizations. China's broader space cooperation includes more than 50 countries and international organizations and more than 200 agreements.

Long March launch vehicles have flown 670 times with a success rate above 97%. China's crewed space program has carried out 40 missions.

For readers tracking the lunar industry, Chang'e-6 demonstrated sample return from the Moon's far side, a capability relevant to lunar science and later lunar missions. The verified plans to explore the lunar south pole for water ice and to achieve a Chinese crewed lunar landing are additional lunar objectives.

The International Lunar Research Station and the listed cooperation agreements show formal international partnerships around Chinese lunar and space programs.

The International Lunar Research Station is a lunar programme led by China and Russia. It is positioned as an alternative framework to the Artemis Accords, which China and Russia have declined to sign.

Chang'e-7 is planned to travel to the lunar south pole to search for water ice. The crewed lunar exploration program plans the first Chinese lunar landing.