China's Chang'e-6 lunar probe packs rocks and rolls back to Earth

Just days after China's Chang'e-6 probe landed on the far side of the Moon, state-sponsored media reports it is heading back with samples onboard. The spacecraft, which was the first to ever land in this region of the Moon, touched down on Sunday after launching on May 3. It was tasked with collecting and returning samples …

[Flywheel]

Mining?.

If they discover rare metals there I'm sure they'll find a way if mining it and getting it back to earth.

[Mage]

Re: Mining?.

But the moon is a harsh mistress.

It's the landing on Earth that might be a concern?

[Eclectic Man]

Impressive

They will have done a lunar landing on automatic pilot on terrain that is potentially rough. Drilled holes in the surface, collected material, launched form the surface, and have to dock with a vehicle for return to Earth, all unmanned. Each part could go wrong, so, assuming they do get the samples back undamaged this will be some spectacular achievement.

[Mike_T.]

That is what I'd call a Chinese takeaway

If they manage to successfully return the some interesting rock samples to earth then that will be a job very well done. Doubly so as both space and autonomous operations are hard.