HKU geologists team first in city to examine lunar soil collected by China's Chang'e 5 probe

The geologists at The University of Hong Kong have obtained lunar soil samples collected by the Chinese lunar probe Chang'e-5 in 2020, marking the first time a Hong Kong research team has secured such samples.

The university said on Monday that the research team, led by postdoctoral fellow Dr. Qian Yuqi from the Department of Earth Sciences, obtained approval from the China National Space Administration's Lunar Exploration and Space Engineering Centre to study the lunar soil samples.

Qian was said to have personally traveled to Beijing to retrieve the samples, weighing 822.6 milligrams in total, which could offer valuable insights into the Moon’s geological and thermal history and its connection to the formation and evolution of planetary bodies in the Solar System.

“This is a dream come true for us and Hong Kong's space science community,” said Qian, who is eager to analyze the samples using state-of-the-art instruments at the university.

“We hope to reveal the secrets of the Moon and gain insights into the early Earth, which could have important implications for our understanding of the Solar System and beyond.”

In addition to studying the samples collected by Chang'e-5, the university said Qian eagerly anticipates the upcoming Chang'e-6 mission to the lunar farside.

He hopes to conduct further research on lunar geology based on China’s future lunar missions, especially the crewed ones, and the International Lunar Research Station, which could provide valuable insights into the formation and evolution of the Moon and lead humanity's way to other worlds.