The Chang’e 6 lunar sample return probe has returned with its precious cargo from the far side of the moon. The successful mission is another small step on the long march to a Chinese crewed lunar landing.

The Chang’e 6 launched in early May and arrived in lunar orbit about a week later. It circled the moon for 20 days before the lander separated from the orbiter in early June to land at the Apollo crater on the far side of the moon.

Greg Autry, the author of “Red Moon Rising,” noticed China’s sly attempt to take a jab at its American rivals with its selection of a landing site.

He noted in Forbes that the Apollo crater, which “is named in honor of America’s great lunar achievement,” features “interior and adjacent craters" that are “named for Apollo astronauts and memorialize deceased NASA employees, including the lost crew of the Space Shuttle Columbia.”

“Chang’e 6 will literally raise a communist Chinese flag there. The Chinese are extremely careful with protocol, any small slight is intentional,” Autry added.

The Chang’e 6 collected about 2 kilograms of material, some of it from two meters........

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