China approves applications from research institutions for lunar samples

ANKARA

China has approved the ninth batch of applications from research institutions for borrowing lunar samples returned by the Chang'e-5 and Chang'e-6 Moon missions, state media reported Monday.

The Lunar Exploration and Space Engineering Center, which operates under the China National Space Administration, released the approved list, said state-run Xinhua News Agency.

A total of 30,881.8 milligrams of lunar samples will be lent to 32 research groups from 25 research institutions.

China's Chang'e-6 mission collected 1,935.3 grams of samples from the far side of the Moon -- the first time in human history. The Chang'e-5 mission retrieved about 1,731 grams of lunar samples.

Since July 2021, China has lent eight batches of lunar samples to institutions for research purposes.

Last month, China released a string of research findings by Chinese scientists following studies of the samples collected by the Chang'e-6 mission -- in categories such as volcanic activity, the ancient magnetic field, water content and geochemical characteristics of the moon mantle.