China's Chang'e 5 mission, tasked with returning fresh lunar samples to Earth for the first time in decades, is advancing flawlessly. The ascent vehicle lifted off successfully just hours ago and is now gearing up for a rendezvous with the orbiter to hand off its valuable cargo.
Launched on November 23 from China's Wenchang Space Launch Site, the Chang'e 5 mission marks the first attempt to retrieve new lunar samples since NASA's Apollo program (1969-1972) and the Soviet Luna 16 (1970).
Progress has been textbook. Five days post-launch, the spacecraft entered lunar orbit. The next day, the orbiter—carrying the return module—separated from the lander, which housed the ascent vehicle. On December 1, the lander touched down successfully, kicking off sample collection shortly after.
With sampling complete, it's time for the return trip. The ascent vehicle, perched atop the Chang'e 5 lander, blasted off from Oceanus Procellarum this Thursday at 4:10 p.m. (French time), carrying lunar samples aloft. Six minutes later, it reached lunar orbit and is set to dock with the orbiter to transfer its precious cargo.
This docking is a high-stakes automated operation due to the over 380,000 km communication lag between Earth and the Moon. The spacecraft will commence their final approach around the Moon on Saturday, December 5, synchronizing orbits and completing docking 3.5 hours later.
Success here paves the way for the finale: delivering the first lunar samples to Earth in 44 years.
The return module will linger in lunar orbit for a few days, awaiting the optimal reentry window for the shortest trip. The journey home should span 112 hours—about four and a half days—before landing in Siziwang Banner, Inner Mongolia, in mid-December. This site also serves as the touchdown zone for China's Shenzhou crew capsules.
