Researchers work around Chang’e-5 lunar return capsule carrying moon samples next to a Chinese national flag, after it landed in northern China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. Picture: China Daily via Reuters
China’s Chang’e-5 moon probe has returned to planet Earth, landing in the northern Chinese region of Inner Mongolia (Nei Mongol), the official Xinhua news agency reported. It has brought back the first lunar samples since the 1970s.
The return capsule touched down in Inner Mongolia in the early hours of Thursday local time, Xinhua said, citing the China National Space Administration.
China launched the Chang’e-5 spacecraft on the 24th of November and landed a vehicle on the moon at the start of December.
China becomes the third country to retrieve lunar samples after the United States and the Soviet Union, who 44 years ago launched the last successful mission to retrieve samples. China is the first nation to land on the moon’s far side.
A researcher works next to Chang’e-5 lunar return capsule carrying moon samples after it landed in northern China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. Picture: China Daily via Reuters
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