China’s Chang’e-5 probe successfully blasted off from the moon this week after collecting lunar samples. The mission marks the first time since 1976 that a country has attempted to bring back moon rocks and dust to examine. On Friday, the probe successfully unfurled the Chinese national flag on the lunar surface, a feat that took scientists a year to develop. If all goes as planned, the probe is expected to land in Inner Mongolia in less than two weeks. Scientists hope to learn more about the moon, including its precise age.

Joining the discussion:

• Stephen Clark is an editor with Spaceflight Now.
• Ray Wang is the Principal Analyst and Founder of Constellation Research.
• John Zarrella is a distinguished journalist who covers the US space program.
• Yang Yuguang is a professor from China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation.

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#ChangE5 completes lift-off, expert explained the challenge behind pic.twitter.com/UFrDfw33YP

— CGTN (@CGTNOfficial) December 4, 2020

China's Chang'e-5 mission sends back its first colour photos from surface of the Moon 🌕https://t.co/rDCOcP5T7N

— BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) December 2, 2020