China's Chang'e 5 moon samples, beyond NASA's reach for years, are finally available to US scientists

A circular metal container with a clear glass center, through which grey dirt can be seen.

NASA has greenlit space agency-funded researchers to apply for access to China's lunar samples returned to Earth via that country's Chang'e-5 moon mission.

In December 2020, China's Chang'e-5 lunar mission rocketed back to Earth 3.8 pounds (1,731 grams) of lunar rocks and soil from its Oceanus Procellarum exploration site on the near side of the moon.