A 2018 image of the Chang'e 4 lunar probe launching from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China's Sichuan Province. Xinhua / AP Photo
The Long March-5 Y5 rocket, carrying the Chang'e-5 lunar probe, takes off from Wenchang Space Launch Center, in Wenchang, Hainan province, China November 24, 2020. File photo / Reuters
A December 1 image of the moon surface taken by the panoramic camera aboard the lander-ascender combination of the Chang'e-5 spacecraft after landing on the moon. China National Space Administration (CNSA) / AFP
A Chinese national flag unfurled from the Chang'e-5 lunar probe taken on December 4.
China National Space Administration / AFP
An illustration (top) and a photo (bottom) of ascender of China's Chang'e-5 probe completing rendezvous and docking with the orbiter-returner combination. China National Space Administration / EPA
China's Chang'e-5 spacecraft collects lunar samples on the moon. China National Space Administration / Reuters
The orbiter-returner combination of China's Chang'e-5 probe approaching the ascender. China National Space Administration / EPA
The ascender stage of the Chang'e-5 spacecraft lifting off from the lunar surface. China National Space Administration / EPA
This graphic simulation image provided by China National Space Administration shows the orbiter and returner combination of China's Chang'e-5 probe after its separation from the ascender. China National Space Administration / AP
A simulated image of the ascender of Chang'e-5 spacecraft blasting off from the lunar surface at the Beijing Aerospace Control Center (BACC) in Beijing on December 3, 2020. China National Space Administration / AP
Technical personnel monitoring the process during the Chang'e-5 lunar probe landing on the moon at the Beijing Aerospace Control Centre in Beijing. AFP
Technical personnel work at the Beijing Aerospace Control Center (BACC) in Beijing. Xinhua via AP
A photo from 2012 showing Chinese astronauts from Liu Yang, Jing Haipeng and Liu Wang as they wave before a giant portrait of China's first astronaut Yang Liwei, as they depart for the Shenzhou 9 spacecraft rocket launch pad at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Jiuquan, China. File photo / AP Photo.
A 2018 image of the Chang'e 4 lunar probe launching from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China's Sichuan Province. Xinhua / AP Photo
The Long March-5 Y5 rocket, carrying the Chang'e-5 lunar probe, takes off from Wenchang Space Launch Center, in Wenchang, Hainan province, China November 24, 2020. File photo / Reuters
A December 1 image of the moon surface taken by the panoramic camera aboard the lander-ascender combination of the Chang'e-5 spacecraft after landing on the moon. China National Space Administration (CNSA) / AFP
A Chinese national flag unfurled from the Chang'e-5 lunar probe taken on December 4.
China National Space Administration / AFP
An illustration (top) and a photo (bottom) of ascender of China's Chang'e-5 probe completing rendezvous and docking with the orbiter-returner combination. China National Space Administration / EPA
China's Chang'e-5 spacecraft collects lunar samples on the moon. China National Space Administration / Reuters
The orbiter-returner combination of China's Chang'e-5 probe approaching the ascender. China National Space Administration / EPA
The ascender stage of the Chang'e-5 spacecraft lifting off from the lunar surface. China National Space Administration / EPA
This graphic simulation image provided by China National Space Administration shows the orbiter and returner combination of China's Chang'e-5 probe after its separation from the ascender. China National Space Administration / AP
A simulated image of the ascender of Chang'e-5 spacecraft blasting off from the lunar surface at the Beijing Aerospace Control Center (BACC) in Beijing on December 3, 2020. China National Space Administration / AP
Technical personnel monitoring the process during the Chang'e-5 lunar probe landing on the moon at the Beijing Aerospace Control Centre in Beijing. AFP
Technical personnel work at the Beijing Aerospace Control Center (BACC) in Beijing. Xinhua via AP
A photo from 2012 showing Chinese astronauts from Liu Yang, Jing Haipeng and Liu Wang as they wave before a giant portrait of China's first astronaut Yang Liwei, as they depart for the Shenzhou 9 spacecraft rocket launch pad at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Jiuquan, China. File photo / AP Photo.
A 2018 image of the Chang'e 4 lunar probe launching from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China's Sichuan Province. Xinhua / AP Photo
