China's Chang'e 5 capsule has returned to earth with new moon samples.
China's Chang'e 5 capsule lands on Earth with the 1st new moon samples in 44 years. It was the first moon sample-return mission since 1976 and the latest human mission which has brought cargo of moon rocks and soil down to Earth.
A capsule loaded with lunar dirt and gravel landed in Inner Mongolia today (Dec. 16) at 12:59 p.m. EST (1759 GMT).
The last such moon delivery came courtesy of the Soviet Union's Luna 24 mission, which returned about 6 ounces (170 grams) of material in 1976. Chang'e 5's haul should be much larger — about 4.4 lbs. (2 kilograms), if all went according to plan on the lunar surface.
The Chang'e 5 venture was launched on 24 November in 2020. This China's first-ever sample-return effort should provide a new window into lunar history and evolution, scientists says.
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