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

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.

“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.

South China Morning Post