China's Lunar Gift: Rare Moon Samples Shared with the World

China Shares Rare Moon Samples with International Scientists Beijing, May 18, 2025 – In a significant development in lunar research, China has for the first time shared precious moon samples with international scientists. These samples, gathered during the Chang'e 5 mission, represent a unique opportunity to advance our understanding of the moon's formation and composition. The samples, weighing 20 milligrams each, were collected from diverse locations on the lunar surface. One recipient of these samples is Professor Mahesh Anand, a British scientist specializing in planetary science. Professor Anand stated, "We have samples from an area of the moon where volcanic activity happened as recently as two billion years ago. This is invaluable for our research." The samples are part of a larger collection obtained by China five years ago. A total of 1731 grams were collected, and access has been granted to institutions in five additional countries: France, Germany, Japan, Pakistan, and the United States. This international collaboration underscores the growing global cooperation in space exploration and scientific discovery. The research promises to yield groundbreaking insights into the moon's history and composition, potentially rewriting what we know about our celestial neighbor.