China is now the third country in the world to successfully bring back samples from the moon. The Chang’e-5 landed in north China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region to the delight of scientists and explorers. A ground team successfully reached the site to retrieve the samples. Researchers are hoping the material will give them insight into the moon’s history and evolution.
Joining the discussion:
- John Zarrella is a journalist covering the US space program.
- Stephen Clark is an editor with Spaceflight Now.
- Ray Wang is the Principal Analyst and Founder of Constellation Research.
- Xu Yansong is the Director-General of the Asia-Pacific Space Cooperation Organization.
For more:
Praise for China's most complicated space mission
“There is no end for space exploration,” Chinese President Xi Jinping praised the success of the Chang’e-5 mission, which brought moon samples back to Earth. pic.twitter.com/6H5FkQJag4
— CGTN America (@cgtnamerica) December 16, 2020
👩🚀 One small step for mankind, one giant leap into the future as China’s Chang'e-5 mission returns from the moon. 🚀 #RAZOR
🌑 But what will its space capsule bring back and why is this a historic trip? 🤔 @PlanetAndrewC
Discover more 🌝 https://t.co/LyBPE5banB pic.twitter.com/P6zSo2GsKE
— CGTN Europe (@CGTNEurope) December 16, 2020