2024 was a year of extraordinary advancements and challenges in the space industry, marking a pivotal chapter in humanity's journey to becoming a spacefaring civilization.With plans for a return to the moon in 2027 and missions heading for Mars in a decade or so, the industry's ambition and capability are growing at an impressive pace.From groundbreaking technical feats to addressing environmental concerns and even some memorable mishaps, these five milestones stood out.1.
This groundbreaking effort marked the first time scientists have been able to analyze material from this mysterious region. Early studies revealed that the samples are looser and more porous than those from the near side, offering new insights into lunar geology.Beyond the scientific and technical achievement, the mission secures China's place as a competitor with the U.S. in the race to return humans to the moon before the decade's end.4.