If we include lunar probe recovery, China’s lead over India in satellite recovery becomes even more significant. China has successfully completed multiple robotic sample return missions, whereas India has never conducted a sample return mission.

China’s Lunar & Deep Space Sample Return Missions

1. Chang’e-5 Lunar Sample Return (2020)

• First Chinese mission to return samples from the Moon.

• Collected 1.73 kg of lunar soil and rocks from Oceanus Procellarum.

• Used an orbiter, lander, ascent module, and return capsule, similar to Apollo but fully robotic.

• Successfully landed in Inner Mongolia after a precise re-entry and recovery operation.

2. Chang’e-6 (Planned for 2024)

• Designed to retrieve samples from the Moon's far side, an even more difficult task than Chang’e-5.

• Will use an orbiter, lander, ascent module, and return capsule again.

• If successful, China will be the first country to return samples from the Moon’s far side.

3. Chang’e-7 & 8 (Future Missions)

• Part of China’s long-term lunar exploration strategy, aiming to test in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) and build a permanent lunar base.

4. Tianwen-3 (Planned Mars Sample Return, 2030)

• China plans to return Mars samples before NASA/ESA using advanced robotic technology.

• More complex than lunar missions because it requires:

• A lander to collect samples.

• An ascent vehicle to launch them from Mars.

• Orbital rendezvous and return to Earth.

Comparison with India

Conclusion

If we include recovered lunar probes, China's dominance in recovery technology is even more overwhelming.

• China is decades ahead of India in satellite and space probe recovery.

• China has completed multiple recoveries from space, including lunar samples, while India has never attempted a sample return mission.

• Future missions (Chang’e-6, Tianwen-3) will widen this gap further.

➡ Final Verdict: China is one of the world leaders in space recovery technology, while India is still in the early stages.