Chinese probe returns to Earth with first samples from far side of the Moon

The far side is also known to have mountains and impact craters, contrasting with the relatively flat expanses visible on the near side

China’s Chang’e 6 probe has returned to Earth with rock and soil samples from the little-explored far side of the Moon in a global first (China National Space Administration/Xinhua/AP)

China’s Chang’e 6 probe returned on Earth on Tuesday with rock and soil samples from the little-explored far side of the Moon in a global first.

The probe landed in the Inner Mongolian region of northern China on Tuesday afternoon.