Chang'e 5

Chang'e 5 collected 1,731 grams of lunar material from the Mons Rümker volcanic region — the first lunar sample return in 44 years. The samples have been distributed to researchers worldwide and include the youngest basaltic samples yet returned.

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Agency / Country

China National Space Administration (CNSA) (China)

Mission Status

LANDED

Launch / Target Year

2020

Spacecraft / Type

Chang'e 5 lander + ascent vehicle

Landing Site Zone

Mons Rümker (Oceanus Procellarum)

Surface Coordinates

Lat 43.06°, Lon -51.92°

Mission Imagery & Gallery

Chang'e 5 photograph 1: CNSA — Chang'e 5 lander and ascent vehicle on the surface of Mons Rümker, Oceanus Procellarum, December 2020. (CNSA, public domain) — CNSA — Chang'e 5 lander and ascent vehicle on the surface of Mons Rümker, Oceanus Procellarum, December 2020. (CNSA, public domain)

Primary Achievement

First lunar sample return since 1976

Mission Objectives

Land at Mons Rümker volcanic formation and collect 2 kg of samples
First Chinese sample return mission from the Moon
First lunar sample return since Soviet Luna 24 in 1976
Return youngest basaltic samples (1.96 billion years old) to characterize recent volcanism

Timeline Events

2020-11-23 — Launch from Wenchang Space Launch Site on Long March 5
2020-12-01 — Lands at Mons Rümker, Oceanus Procellarum
2020-12-02 — Drill and surface sampling completed — 1,731 g collected
2020-12-03 — Ascent vehicle lifts off from lunar surface
2020-12-16 — Return capsule lands in Inner Mongolia — first lunar sample return since 1976

Related Missions

Luna 24 (1976) · USSR
Chang'e 6 (2024) · China

Historical & Technical Sources

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