Chang'e 5 samples to be shared with six nations

Deal signed with selected institutions during an event marking 10th Space Day

In its latest move to promote international space cooperation, China has agreed to distribute lunar samples collected by its Chang'e 5 mission to foreign scientists.

At a ceremony in Shanghai on Thursday marking the country's 10th Space Day, the China National Space Administration announced the results of international applications to borrow the precious lunar material.

Seven universities and institutes from six countries were selected: the Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris in France; the University of Cologne in Germany; the University of Osaka in Japan; Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission; The Open University in the United Kingdom; and Brown University and Stony Brook University in the United States.