China's Chang'e 5 spacecraft launched on a historic lunar sample-return mission, marking the country's first attempt to bring moon rocks back to Earth since the 1970s. The mission successfully collected and returned approximately 2 kg of lunar samples.

China's groundbreaking Chang'e 5 lunar mission marked a significant milestone in space exploration when it launched on November 23, 2020, from the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site. This ambitious project represented China's first attempt to bring lunar samples back to Earth since the 1970s.

The mission demonstrated China's growing capabilities in space technology and exploration. Named after the Chinese moon goddess Chang'e, the spacecraft carried out a complex series of maneuvers including lunar orbit, surface landing and sample collection before successfully returning to Earth with its precious cargo of moon rocks and soil.

China's Chang'e 5 lunar mission launched at 4:30 AM Beijing time (20:30 UTC) on November 23, 2020, from the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site in Hainan Province. The China National Space Administration (CNSA) deployed a Long March 5 heavy-lift carrier rocket to propel the 8.2-ton spacecraft toward the Moon.

The launch configuration included four main components:

• An orbiter for Earth return
• A lander for surface operations
• An ascender to lift samples from the lunar surface
• A sample-return capsule for Earth re-entry

Key launch specifications:

Parameter	Detail
Launch Vehicle	Long March 5
Payload Mass	8,200 kg
Launch Site	Wenchang, Hainan
Rocket Height	57 meters
Thrust at Liftoff	1,000 tons

The spacecraft's initial trajectory placed it in a low Earth orbit before the upper stage ignited to send Chang'e 5 on its trans-lunar injection path. This marked the first lunar sample return mission attempt by China's space program, demonstrating the nation's enhanced deep-space capabilities through precise launch execution.

The launch phase succeeded with all systems performing as designed, establishing the foundation for subsequent mission operations including lunar orbit insertion, surface landing, sample collection and the return journey to Earth.

The Chang'e 5 lunar sample return mission followed a precise timeline of critical operations from launch through sample collection. Each phase required exact timing and coordination between mission components to achieve its objectives.

Chang'e 5 lifted off at 4:30 AM Beijing time on November 23 2020 from the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site. The Long March 5 rocket performed a flawless ascent sequence carrying the 8.2-ton spacecraft into its initial Earth parking orbit. Telemetry data confirmed successful stage separations four distinct orbital parameters during the launch phase.

The spacecraft completed a series of trajectory correction maneuvers over 112 hours during its trans-lunar journey. On November 28 2020 Chang'e 5 executed a 17-minute burn to enter lunar orbit at an altitude of 200 kilometers. The orbiter-lander combination performed two orbital adjustments to reach the planned 200 x 15 kilometer elliptical lunar orbit.

The lander separated from the orbiter on December 1 2020 descending toward the Mons Rümker region in Oceanus Procellarum. Using autonomous guidance systems the lander touched down at 15:11 UTC executing a precise powered descent sequence. Landing telemetry confirmed a stable orientation on the lunar surface at coordinates 43.1°N 51.8°W with all systems functioning normally.

Mission Phase	Date	Time (UTC)
Launch	Nov 23 2020	20:30
Lunar Orbit Insertion	Nov 28 2020	14:58
Landing	Dec 1 2020	15:11

Chang'e 5's primary scientific objective focused on collecting young lunar materials to enhance understanding of the Moon's geological history. The mission aimed to gather 2 kg of lunar samples from previously unexplored regions.

The Chang'e 5 lander touched down in the Mons Rümker region of Oceanus Procellarum, a volcanic plain on the Moon's near side. This specific location contained lunar basalt deposits approximately 1.2 billion years old, making it geologically younger than samples collected during previous Apollo missions.

Landing Site Details	Data
Region	Mons Rümker
Coordinates	43.1°N, 51.8°W
Geological Age	~1.2 billion years
Target Depth	Up to 2 meters

The Chang'e 5 lander utilized two distinct collection methods to gather lunar materials:

• Surface sampling through a robotic arm equipped with a scoop mechanism
• Subsurface drilling using a specialized drill capable of reaching 2 meters deep
• Storage system featuring multiple sealed containers to preserve sample integrity
• Automated transfer system to move samples from collection tools to the ascent vehicle

Collection Equipment	Function
Robotic Arm	Surface material collection
Core Drill	Subsurface sample extraction
Panoramic Camera	Site documentation
Ground-Penetrating Radar	Subsurface analysis
Sample Containers	Vacuum-sealed storage

The collection process incorporated real-time monitoring systems to ensure sample quality preservation during the gathering operations.

The Chang'e 5 mission executed a complex multi-stage return process to transport lunar samples back to Earth. This phase demonstrated China's advanced spacecraft control capabilities through precise orbital maneuvers.

The ascender module of Chang'e 5 launched from the lunar surface on December 3, 2020, carrying approximately 2 kg of moon samples. Following a series of automated docking maneuvers, the ascender successfully connected with the orbiter-returner combination in lunar orbit. The samples transferred to the return capsule through a specialized containment system designed to maintain sample integrity.

Key phases of sample recovery:

1. Lunar ascent

• Vertical liftoff from Mons Rümker region
• Achieved planned trajectory within 6 minutes
• Reached designated lunar orbit altitude

1. Orbital rendezvous

• Automated docking at 5.1 km per second
• First-ever lunar orbit autonomous rendezvous
• Completed docking operation in 3.5 hours

1. Sample transfer

• Robotic arm transfer mechanism
• Vacuum-sealed containment system
• Multiple verification checks

Mission Milestone	Date	Duration
Lunar Ascent	Dec 3, 2020	6 minutes
Orbital Docking	Dec 5, 2020	3.5 hours
Sample Transfer	Dec 6, 2020	2 hours

The China National Space Administration monitored each phase through its deep space network, confirming successful completion of all critical operations. This marked the first automated sample transfer in lunar orbit by any space agency.

Chang'e 5's successful lunar sample return mission elevated China's space capabilities to an elite level previously achieved only by the United States and Russia. The mission demonstrated China's mastery of complex space operations including:

• Automated lunar orbit rendezvous
• Precision robotic sample collection
• High-speed atmospheric reentry
• Multi-vehicle coordination in deep space

The China National Space Administration enhanced its technological capabilities through several mission innovations:

Innovation	Achievement
Docking Systems	First automated docking in lunar orbit
Sample Protection	New sealed container technology
Navigation	Precise lunar descent guidance
Launch Vehicle	Successful heavy-lift rocket deployment

The mission strengthened China's lunar exploration program by:

• Validating systems for future lunar base construction
• Testing technologies for Mars sample return missions
• Establishing protocols for handling extraterrestrial materials
• Developing expertise in complex mission planning

The successful completion of Chang'e 5 positioned China as a leading space power, enabling:

• International research collaborations
• Advanced training programs for space personnel
• Enhanced deep space communication networks
• Expanded lunar science capabilities

This mission served as a critical stepping stone for China's future space initiatives, including planned missions to establish a permanent lunar research station by 2030 and conduct planetary exploration beyond the Moon.

• Chang'e 5 launched on November 23, 2020, from China's Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site, marking China's first lunar sample return mission since the 1970s
• The 8.2-ton spacecraft included four main components: an orbiter, lander, ascender, and sample-return capsule, demonstrating China's advanced space capabilities
• The mission successfully landed in the Mons Rümker region of Oceanus Procellarum, collecting approximately 2 kg of lunar samples from deposits about 1.2 billion years old
• Chang'e 5 achieved the first-ever automated sample transfer and docking in lunar orbit, showcasing significant technological advancement
• This historic mission established China as only the third nation to return lunar samples to Earth, joining the United States and Russia in this elite achievement

Chang'e 5's successful launch and completion represent a watershed moment in China's space exploration journey. The mission's achievements from its November 2020 launch to the successful return of lunar samples have established China as a major player in space exploration.

The mission's innovative technologies and precise execution have laid crucial groundwork for future lunar exploration. These accomplishments not only advance scientific understanding of the Moon but also pave the way for China's ambitious space program including the planned lunar research station by 2030.

With the successful completion of Chang'e 5 China has demonstrated its ability to conduct complex space operations joining an elite group of nations capable of lunar sample return missions. This milestone marks just the beginning of China's expanding role in space exploration and research.