Which country became the first to bring soil from the far side (dark side) of the Moon in June 2024?

Question

Which country became the first to bring soil from the far side (dark side) of the Moon in June 2024?

1. A. USA
2. B. China (Correct answer)
3. C. France
4. D. India

Correct Answer

Option B — China

Detailed Solution & Explanation

The correct answer is China.

Key Points

• China became the first country in the world to bring back soil/samples from the far side (the 'dark side') of the Moon, through its Chang'e-6 mission in June 2024. The mission landed in the South Pole-Aitken Basin, one of the oldest and largest impact craters in the solar system, and returned samples to Earth.
• The country that achieved this first was China, making option (B) correct.

Additional Information

• the far side of the Moon never faces the Earth and is difficult to communicate with, requiring a relay satellite — making this a major technological achievement that could provide clues about the early history of the Moon and the solar system.