China’s Chang’e 5 Mission: Bringing Moon Samples Back to Earth

On December 1, 2020, China’s Chang’e 5 mission made history by successfully landing on the Moon, collecting lunar samples, and returning them to Earth on December 17, 2020. This was the first mission to return lunar samples since NASA’s Apollo missions in the 1970s, and it marked China’s significant achievement in space exploration. The Chang’e 5 mission is part of China’s ambitious space program, which aims to explore the Moon, Mars, and beyond.

The primary goal of the Chang’e 5 mission was to collect soil and rock samples from the Moon’s surface and return them to Earth for analysis. This marked a critical milestone in the pursuit of understanding the Moon’s geology and its history. By studying these samples, scientists hope to learn more about the Moon’s formation, its volcanic activity, and its potential resources, such as water ice, which could be crucial for future space missions.

Mission Overview and Success

The Chang’e 5 spacecraft was launched on November 23, 2020, by China’s Long March 5 rocket from the Wenchang Space Launch Center. The mission consisted of several components, including an orbiter, a lander, and a return capsule. Upon arrival at the Moon, the lander separated from the orbiter and descended to the Moon’s surface in the Oceanus Procellarum, a large lunar plain that was selected for its relatively young geological age and its potential to contain fresh lunar material.

Once on the surface, the Chang’e 5 rover collected samples from both the surface and beneath the lunar regolith. The lander used a drill to retrieve rock and soil samples from a depth of up to 2 meters, which are particularly valuable because they provide a deeper look at the Moon’s composition. After collecting the samples, the lander transferred them to the return capsule, which then lifted off from the Moon’s surface to rendezvous with the orbiter in lunar orbit.

Scientific Significance of the Samples

The lunar samples brought back by Chang’e 5 are expected to provide critical insights into the Moon’s geological history, particularly in understanding its volcanic activity. The samples include both surface material, which has been exposed to solar radiation and cosmic rays, and deeper material, which is less altered and could reveal information about the Moon’s internal composition.

One of the most exciting aspects of the Chang’e 5 mission is the opportunity to study fresh lunar material, which has not been studied before. Previous lunar samples brought back by the Apollo missions were collected from older, well-known regions of the Moon, but Chang’e 5’s samples come from a younger and geologically diverse area. By studying the chemical and isotopic makeup of the samples, scientists can better understand the Moon’s evolution, the history of volcanic activity on its surface, and how the Moon may have interacted with other celestial bodies over time.

Additionally, the samples may provide insights into the presence of water and other volatile compounds on the Moon, which are essential for future space exploration. The Chang’e 5 mission’s findings could help determine whether there are resources on the Moon that could be used for future lunar missions, such as water ice that could be converted into drinking water, oxygen, and even fuel.

Technology and Innovation in Chang’e 5

The success of the Chang’e 5 mission is a testament to China’s growing capabilities in space technology. The mission employed advanced technology in several key areas, including autonomous landing, sample collection, and return systems. For example, the Chang’e 5 mission was the first to successfully carry out an autonomous lift-off from the Moon’s surface, which was a complex and unprecedented maneuver.

The orbiter, which stayed in lunar orbit during the sample collection process, was responsible for transmitting data between the lander and Earth. It also carried the return capsule back to Earth, ensuring that the samples would safely re-enter the Earth’s atmosphere. The spacecraft’s precision and technological advancements are significant milestones in China’s space program and demonstrate the country’s ability to execute complex space missions.

Implications for Future Lunar Exploration

The Chang’e 5 mission has far-reaching implications for future lunar exploration. By demonstrating the ability to land on the Moon, collect samples, and return them to Earth, China has paved the way for more ambitious lunar missions. The success of Chang’e 5 has also laid the groundwork for the future construction of a Chinese lunar base, which could be used for both scientific research and as a stepping stone for deeper space exploration, including crewed missions to Mars.

The Chang’e 5 mission also has broader implications for international collaboration in space exploration. As China continues to make strides in space exploration, it could become an important partner in future global lunar exploration efforts. The Chang’e 5 mission has already prompted discussions about the possibility of joint missions between China and other space agencies, including NASA and the European Space Agency, to further explore the Moon and its resources.

The Role of the Moon in Humanity’s Space Exploration Future

The Moon is seen as a crucial stepping stone for humanity’s future exploration of space. With its proximity to Earth and its potential resources, the Moon could serve as a launching pad for missions to Mars and beyond. By establishing a permanent presence on the Moon, scientists hope to learn how to live and work in space for extended periods, which will be essential for long-duration missions to other planets.

The Chang’e 5 mission is part of a broader global effort to explore and utilize the Moon’s resources. NASA’s Artemis program, which aims to return astronauts to the Moon by 2024, will work alongside international partners to establish a sustainable human presence on the lunar surface. The findings from Chang’e 5 and future missions will contribute to these efforts, particularly in identifying locations on the Moon that are rich in resources, such as water ice, that could be crucial for sustaining life and supporting space exploration activities.

The Future of China’s Lunar Exploration Program

Following the success of Chang’e 5, China is already planning its next steps in lunar exploration. The country has outlined ambitious goals, including plans to send astronauts to the Moon and establish a permanent lunar research station. This will involve further exploration of the Moon’s surface, with the aim of learning more about its composition, resources, and potential for supporting human life.

In addition to crewed missions, China plans to continue its robotic exploration of the Moon with additional sample-return missions and even lunar mining operations. As China builds on the success of the Chang’e 5 mission, its lunar program is poised to play a significant role in humanity’s broader efforts to explore and utilize the Moon, making it an exciting era for space enthusiasts and researchers alike.


The Chang’e 5 mission is not only a significant achievement for China but also a critical step forward in lunar exploration. Its successful return of lunar samples marks a new era in the study of the Moon and its potential for future space exploration.