The returner of the Chang'e 6 lunar probe is opened during a ceremony at the China Academy of Space Technology under the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation in Beijing, June 26, 2024. The returner of the Chang'e 6 lunar probe was opened at a ceremony in Beijing on Wednesday afternoon. [Photo/Xinhua]

Operating for 49 hours on the moon's far side, the lander utilized a mechanical arm and drill to collect surface and subsurface materials. Several scientific instruments were also activated to conduct surveys and analyses.

After completing its tasks, the ascender, loaded with samples, lifted off from the lunar surface and rendezvoused with the reentry capsule in lunar orbit.

In the final phase of the mission, the orbiter-reentry capsule combination returned to Earth's orbit before separating. The reentry capsule successfully touched down on Tuesday afternoon at its designated landing site in Siziwang Banner, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, concluding the 53-day voyage.