French scientists are harnessing China's shared lunar samples to unlock new frontiers in their Moon research, accelerating breakthroughs in planetary science. In 2023, the China National Space Administration (CNSA) presented Russia and France with lunar samples for scientific purposes, with France receiving 1.5 grams of samples. Under lock and key at the Paris Institute of Earth Physics, a tiny fragment, barely a speck to the eye, is part of the 1.7-kilogram haul brought back from the Moon by China's landmark Chang'e-5 mission in 2020. Estimated to be around two billion years old, it holds clues to a chapter of lunar history never seen before. Inside the labs of the university, preparations are underway to begin testing within weeks. Moynier and his team are focusing on one of the Moon's biggest mysteries. The team will also compare this fragment with other lunar samples to map the Moon's interior and reconstruct its volcanic timeline, rendering data that could refine future lunar missions. Long Zhengyu, a Chinese PhD student, said the shared samples have bolstered scientific cooperation between the two countries. Shotlist: Paris, France - Recent: 1. Various of Frederic Moynier, professor of the Paris Institute of Earth Physics, taking lunar sample out of safe; 2. Moynier showing sample; 3. SOUNDBITE (English) Frederic Moynier, professor, Paris Institute of Earth Physics (starting with shot 2/ending with shot 4): "Because most of the Lunar samples we had are very old and we are basing our understanding of the surface of the Moon (on samples). When you look at the Moon you have plenty of craters, and we use the age of the rocks to try to calibrate how many craters you have at different ages. I think these very young samples can really fill up the gap for longer ages to get a much better chronology of the surface of the Moon."; 4. Various of researcher at work; 5. Moynier working with computer; 6. SOUNDBITE (English) Frederic Moynier, professor, Paris Institute of Earth Physics (starting with shot 5/ending with shot 7): "My science has been to understand why the Moon which is so close to Earth has no water, when the Earth is covered in water. So, all my research before was based on the Apollo samples. So, what I want to do on this sample is look at water, hydrogen, volatile elements to try to understand better how the Moon is formed."; 7. Various of Long Zhengyu, Chinese PhD student, doing research; 8. Various of meter, equipment; 9. Long during research; 10. Moynier checking equipment; 11. Long during research; 12. SOUNDBITE (English) Long Zhengyu, Chinese PhD student: "I think because China and France, right now they have a very good connection and relationship between the two countries. So it is a good opportunity for our students to do such research."; 13. Various of Long doing research; 14. Various of Moynier working with computer; 15. Various of rocket models. [Restriction - No access Chinese mainland]