In a monumental moment for space exploration, lunar soil samples collected by China’s Chang’e-5 mission were publicly displayed for the first time at the United Nations headquarters in Vienna. The exhibition coincided with the 68th session of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) on June 25.
Jointly hosted by China’s National Space Administration and its Permanent Mission to the UN in Vienna, the exhibition showcased two decades of China’s lunar exploration endeavors. Ambassador Li Song, China’s Permanent Representative to the UN and other international organizations in Vienna, highlighted that the samples symbolize China’s active commitment to advancing international cooperation in lunar exploration.
Aarti Holla-Maini, Director of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs, commended China on its remarkable achievements in space exploration. She expressed optimism that China, as a leading spacefaring nation, will continue to guide and support COPUOS as the primary platform for global space governance.
Delegates, representatives, and officials from various international agencies praised China’s openness in sharing opportunities for collaboration. Many conveyed their enthusiasm to participate in forthcoming space projects led by China.
China’s Chang’e-5 mission, which successfully returned lunar samples to Earth, marks a significant milestone in the nation’s ambitious space program. The mission’s success not only advances scientific understanding but also fosters a spirit of international collaboration in the quest to explore the cosmos.
