Chinese guys well done! Perhaps this is nothing new or important for humanity. But for China, this development of science and technology is very important. It is good that Chinese scientists and engineers have such a job. ![Clapping :clap:](https://www.eevblog.com/forum/Smileys/default/clap.gif.pagespeed.ce.LImJbaO0yv.gif)
It's new in the sense that the previous missions explored a very limited area and this is new material from a new area. There's new science to be done. Also new is to achieve this with a much smaller investment in regards to money and human risk. It's definitely an advancement to be celebrated and congratulated.
I may be wrong, but i think that there is nothing interesting or unusual about that sand from another piece of the Moon. The method of its extraction and delivery is much more interesting.
You know what i mean? It is impossible to say anything about the Earth if you dig a little soil near your house or near my house. We will not find there, most likely, anything of value: no gold, no oil, no artifacts of ancient civilizations. ![Smiley :)](https://www.eevblog.com/forum/Smileys/default/xsmiley.gif.pagespeed.ic.R8GFI-pF6f.png)
Yes, I agree, its very unlikely that the soil they dig up, even its at special location, will have a truly shocking difference compared to previous rock by US or USSR had done.
But the whole process and steps they used, is a breakthrough imo, starting from orbiting moon, modules separation at orbit, landing, re-launch to the orbit, rendevous with the returner at orbit and then fly home, all are identical steps to what American did with Apollo, but this times its done by robot without human assistance, or minimal at least, this alone is the first in space exploration, cmiiw.