Chang'e 5 Mission To Grab 4.4 lbs. of the Moon and Hurry Home
Chang'e 5 launches atop a Long March 5 rocket on Monday, Nov. 23. CNSA Earlier this week China launched its ambitious Chang'e 5 probe on a 23-day mission to the moon to collect and return lunar samples. Named for the Chinese moon goddess, it would be that country's first sample return mission and the first moon rocks brought back to Earth since 1976, when the Soviet Union's Luna 24 sent back a third of a pound (170 grams) from the Sea of Crisis (Mare Crisium). The China National Space Administration (CNSA) hasn't released a detailed timeline, but we know that the spacecraft is expected to enter lunar orbit on November 27 shortly after the sun rises on its target, the region surrounding Mons Rümker (Mt. Rümker). The lander will descend to the sampling site in the following few days and collect 4.4 pounds (2 kilograms) of rocks, both from the surface and up to 6 feet (2 meters) underground. The lander will use a drill to unearth (unmoon?) these deeper specimens.