Race to the Moon · China
Full catalogue name: Chang’e 6 (+ ICUBE-Q)
Chang’e 6 launched on 3 May 2024, 09:27 UTC. Chang’e 6 is a sample return mission in the Chang’e programme by CNSA, counted under China.
Data reviewed against sources as of · All dates UTC unless a local time is shown
Yes. Recorded result: soft landing, upright. Landed in the Apollo basin, South Pole–Aitken basin, far side (2 Jun BJT) (1 Jun 2024). The mission as a whole is recorded as a success.
Firsts: First samples ever returned from the lunar far side
Chang’e 6: promised 31 Dec 2024 (announced 25 Apr 2021)
"预计2024年前后实施" (around 2024)
Met: first attempt 3 May 2024, 242 days before the promised date.
Sources: Chinese Wikipedia (citing Xinhua) (read 23 Sep 2026, secondary)
Chang’e 6 launched on 3 May 2024, 09:27 UTC.
Chang’e 6 is a sample return mission in the Chang’e programme by CNSA, counted under China.
Yes. Recorded result: soft landing, upright. Landed in the Apollo basin, South Pole–Aitken basin, far side (2 Jun BJT) (1 Jun 2024). The mission as a whole is recorded as a success.
Found an error? Tell us; corrections are logged on the method page.
Week in Space Data, every Friday.