# Chang'e 5

> Chinese lunar lander

**Wikidata**: [Q10944018](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q10944018)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chang'e_5)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/chang-e-5

## Summary  
Chang'e 5 is a Chinese lunar lander and sample‑return mission launched on 23 November 2020. Operated by the China National Space Administration and built by the China Academy of Space Technology, it landed on the Moon on 1 December 2020, collected lunar material, and returned the first Chinese Moon rocks to Earth.

## Key Facts  
- **Launch date:** 23 November 2020 at 20:30:22 UTC 【launch_date】  
- **Launch vehicle:** Long March 5 (Y5 configuration) from Wenchang Satellite Launch Center【launch_vehicle】  
- **Mission type:** Lunar lander, sample‑return mission, and artificial satellite【instance_of】  
- **Launch mass:** 8 200 kg (launch weight)【mass】  
- **Operator:** China National Space Administration (CNSA)【operator】  
- **Manufacturer:** China Academy of Space Technology【manufacturer】  
- **Part of:** Chinese Lunar Exploration Program (Phase III)【part_of】  
- **Followed by:** Chang'e 6 (next uncrewed lunar expedition)【followed_by】  
- **Landing site:** Inner Mongolia (Dorbod Banner) on 16 December 2020 at 17:59 UTC【significant_event (landing)】  
- **COSPAR ID / NSSDC ID:** 2020‑087A【cospar_id】【nssdca_id】

## FAQs  
### Q: What was the primary goal of Chang'e 5?  
A: Chang'e 5 was designed to land on the Moon, collect up to 2 kg of lunar samples, and return them safely to Earth, marking China’s first successful lunar sample‑return mission.  

### Q: When did Chang'e 5 land on the Moon?  
A: The lander touched down on the Moon on 1 December 2020 (local time), with the sample‑return capsule departing on 3 December 2020.  

### Q: Which rocket launched Chang'e 5?  
A: The mission was launched aboard a Long March 5 heavy‑lift launch vehicle from the Wenchang Satellite Launch Center.  

### Q: Who built and operated Chang'e 5?  
A: The spacecraft was manufactured by the China Academy of Space Technology and operated by the China National Space Administration.  

### Q: What did Chang'e 5 achieve after landing?  
A: After landing, Chang'e 5 collected lunar rocks and soil, ascended to lunar orbit, transferred the samples to a return capsule, and the capsule splashed down on Earth on 16 December 2020.

## Why It Matters  
Chang'e 5 represents a pivotal milestone in humanity’s exploration of the Moon. By successfully returning lunar material to Earth, it provided scientists with fresh samples from a region never previously sampled, enabling new insights into the Moon’s geology, formation, and the early Solar System. The mission also demonstrated China’s growing capabilities in deep‑space navigation, autonomous landing, and sample‑return technology, positioning the nation as a major player in future lunar and planetary exploration initiatives. Moreover, the data and experience gained lay the groundwork for more ambitious endeavors, such as crewed lunar missions and the construction of a lunar research station, thereby influencing both scientific research and international space policy.

## Notable For  
- First Chinese mission to return lunar samples to Earth.  
- Utilized the Long March 5, China’s next‑generation heavy‑lift launch system, for a deep‑space mission.  
- Completed a full sample‑return cycle (launch → lunar landing → ascent → Earth return) within a single mission.  
- Landed in Inner Mongolia’s Dorbod Banner, marking the first soft landing on the Moon’s far side of the equatorial region.  
- Served as the immediate predecessor to Chang'e 6, continuing China’s rapid lunar exploration cadence.

## Body  

### Mission Overview  
Chang'e 5 is part of the third phase of the Chinese Lunar Exploration Program. The mission’s objectives were to:  

- Perform a soft landing on the Moon.  
- Collect up to 2 kg of lunar regolith and rock.  
- Return the samples to Earth for scientific analysis.  

### Launch and Spacecraft Configuration  
- **Launch site:** Wenchang Satellite Launch Center, Hainan Province.  
- **Launch vehicle:** Long March 5 (Y5) – the first use of this heavy‑lift rocket for a lunar mission.  
- **Spacecraft mass at launch:** 8 200 kg (launch weight).  

The spacecraft comprised four modules:  

1. **Orbiter** – remained in lunar orbit for communications and navigation.  
2. **Lander** – delivered the sampling system to the lunar surface.  
3. **Ascent vehicle** – lifted the collected samples from the Moon to orbit.  
4. **Return capsule** – re‑entered Earth’s atmosphere and splashed down in Inner Mongolia.

### Lunar Operations  
- **Landing date:** 1 December 2020 (local time).  
- **Landing site:** Mons Rümker region, near Dorbod Banner, Inner Mongolia.  
- **Sample collection:** Automated drilling and scooping gathered rock and soil.  
- **Ascent:** The ascent vehicle launched on 3 December 2020, rendezvoused with the orbiter, and transferred the sample container.  

### Return to Earth  
- **Re‑entry and splashdown:** The return capsule re‑entered Earth’s atmosphere and landed on 16 December 2020 at 17:59 UTC in Inner Mongolia.  
- **Samples recovered:** Approximately 1.73 kg of lunar material was retrieved for analysis.  

### Legacy and Follow‑On Missions  
Chang'e 5’s success paved the way for Chang'e 6, scheduled to continue sample‑return efforts from a different lunar region. The mission also demonstrated key technologies—precision landing, autonomous sample handling, and deep‑space navigation—that will underpin future crewed lunar missions and potential lunar base construction.

## Schema Markup
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## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report
2. [Source](http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2017-01/22/c_136004958.htm)
3. [Source](http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020-12/19/c_139603150.htm)
4. [Chang'e 5, 6 (CE 5, 6)](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/change-5.htm)