US scientists given access to moon rocks brought back by China’s Chang’e-5 probe

Chinese space agency says American scientists will be among the international researchers allowed to study lunar samples

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The Chang’e-5 lunar probe brought samples back to Earth in 2020. Photo: Reuters

Published: 9:06pm, 24 Apr 2025Updated: 12:06am, 25 Apr 2025

China’s space agency has agreed to share samples of moon rocks with universities in the United States and five other countries.

The China National Space Administration said on Thursday it would share samples brought back to earth by the Chang’e-5 mission with Brown University in Rhode Island and Stony Brook University in New York.

The two American institutions needed special permission from Congress to receive the samples.

The space administration announced the loan to the US universities and other institutions on Thursday, China’s national space day.

The University of Cologne in Germany, Osaka University in Japan, the Open University in Britain, France’s Paris Institute of Planetary Physics and Pakistan’s national space agency, the Space & Upper Atmosphere Research Commission will also be lent samples to study.

The space administration received applications to borrow its moon rocks from 11 countries, and Shan Zhongde, the head of the organisation, said China would continue to accept international research applications for loans.

“China’s lunar exploration programme has always adhered to the principles of equality, mutual benefit, peaceful use and win-win cooperation, sharing development achievements with the international community.