China’s Chang’e-6 spacecraft has officially entered lunar orbit. The China National Space Administration’s mission to the far side of the Moon launched last Friday in the first human endeavor to collect and retrieve lunar samples. How will it impact future lunar missions?

Joining the discussion: 

• Amitabha Ghosh is a Planetary Scientist.
• Yang Yuguang is Vice Chair of the Space Transportation Committee at the International Astronautical Federation.
• Keith Cowing is a Former Rocket Scientist and Editor of NASAWatch.com.
• Xu Yansong is the Former Director of International Cooperation at the China National Space Administration.

China's Chang'e-6 lunar probe has successfully entered its circumlunar orbit after performing a near-moon braking procedure, the China National Space Administration said on Wednesday. pic.twitter.com/CAhgq9ucSN

— Global Times (@globaltimesnews) May 8, 2024

China's latest lunar mission has caught global attention again as the Chang'e 6 robotic probe, which has been successfully launched, will collect samples from the far side of the moon, marking a mission that will be the first of its kind in human history. pic.twitter.com/uVea5JIb7B

— China Daily (@ChinaDaily) May 3, 2024