Wednesday, November 23, 2022

China launches Chang'e 5 to the moon 2020


After three years of delays from the original launch schedule, China successfully launched Chang'e 5 November 23, 2020 (UTC).  On November 28, it arrived at the moon and the Lander/Ascender separated from the Orbiter/Returner, landing December 1, near the volcanic complex Mons Rumker in the Northern Oceanus Procellarum..  It took samples of the lunar soil

The Ascender lifted from the lunar surface December 3 and docked with the Orbiter/Returner on December 5, transferring the samples to the return capsule.  The Ascender crashed back onto the moon, and the Orbiter/Returner returned to Earth December 16.

China is the third country to send a spacecraft to the moon and return with samples.

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