4 years ago
A capsule carrying soil and rock landed in Inner Mongolia at 01:30 local time on Thursday (17:30 GMT, Wednesday). The sample was brought after almost forty years since the American Apollo and Soviet Luna missions brought their samples home.
For China, the successful completion of the Chang'e-5 venture has been seen as another demonstration of the nation's capability in space program.
Recovery teams quickly moved the returned capsule. It was first spotted by helicopters using infrared cameras. Support staff following up in SUVs planted a Chinese flag in the snow-covered grassland next to the capsule. The Chang'e-5 venture was launched at the end of November.
