Chinas Change-5 lunar mission

China'sChang'e-5 lunar mission recently became the first probe in 40 years to try to bring back lunar samples from an unexplored portion of the Moon. The spacecraft will return to Earth around December 15, 2020

Highlights:
♦ Chang’e-5 probe is the lunar sample return mission of China National Space Administration (CNSA).
♦ Goal: Land on the Mons Rumke area of the moon, where it will operate for one lunar day, which is two weeks long and possibly return 2 kg of lunar rock samples by digging about 2 meters deep on the surface of the moon.
♦ The mission includes a lunar orbiter, a lander and an ascent probe, which will bring lunar samples back to orbit and return to Earth.
♦ The probe is named after the Chinese goddess of the moon, which is traditionally a white rabbit or a jade rabbit.
♦ In early 2019, China's Chang'e-4 probe successfully transmitted images from the other side of the moon (also known as the dark side).
♦ This is the first probe to land on the moon.