China Provides Lunar Soil Samples to Russian Scientists

Kathmandu. China has provided soil samples collected from the dark side of the moon, which is not directly visible from Earth, to Russian scientists for the first time. The 1.5 grams of soil collected by China's Chang'e-6 lunar mission was handed over to the Department of Planetary Physics at the Russian Space Research Institute on June 3. A statement issued by the Russian institute stated that this handover was part of efforts to expand cooperation between Russia and China in space science and lunar exploration. Scientists will conduct a detailed study of the chemical and mineral composition of the sample. The research will focus particularly on searching for volatile compounds that may be preserved within the lunar soil. It is believed that the identification of such compounds will help in gaining more information about the origin and evolutionary process of the moon. It can also provide an important scientific basis for future plans to establish self-sufficient human settlements on the moon. According to the Russian Space Research Institute, this handover was carried out under a joint research agreement between the two countries. The agreement provides for joint study of samples obtained not only from the moon but also from planets and other celestial bodies in the solar system. China's Chang'e-6 mission successfully collected samples from the dark side of the moon in 2024 and brought them to Earth. China became the first country in the world to achieve this feat.