China lands spacecraft on moon to retrieve lunar rocks

2 December 2020 06:59 am - 8 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

China successfully landed a spacecraft on the moon's surface on Tuesday in a historic mission to retrieve lunar surface samples, Chinese state media reported.

China launched its Chang'e-5 probe on Nov. 24. The uncrewed mission, named after the mythical Chinese goddess of the moon, aims to collect lunar material to help scientists learn more about the moon's origins.

The mission will attempt to collect 2 kg (4-1/2 lbs) of samples in a previously unvisited area in a massive lava plain known as Oceanus Procellarum, or "Ocean of Storms".

If the mission is completed as planned, it would make China the third nation to have retrieved lunar samples after the United States and the Soviet Union.

The lander vehicle that touched down on the moon's surface was one of several spacecraft deployed by the Chang'e-5 probe.

Upon landing, the lander vehicle is supposed to drill into the ground with a robotic arm, then transfer its soil and rock samples to an ascender vehicle that would lift off and dock with an orbiting module.

State broadcaster CCTV said it would start collecting samples on the lunar surface in the next two days. The samples would be transferred to a return capsule for the trip back to Earth, landing in China's Inner Mongolia region.

China made its first lunar landing in 2013. In January last year, the Chang'e-4 probe touched down on the far side of the moon, the first space probe from any nation to do so. (Reuters)

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

Comments - 8

PhD student Wednesday, 02 December 2020 07:49 AM

Last year with all fan fair India also sent a a space probe to the Moon to land and to make investigations on the lunar surface. Hilariously it simply disappeared and the the Indians didn’t even know what had happened to it until the Americans told them that their craft is lying smashed to pieces on the moon surface. Indians are no match to the Science and Mathematics of China.

roobarbie Wednesday, 02 December 2020 03:53 PM

PhD student? With the sort of comments you make, you are not fit to be a PhD student. Entrenhced ideas as you have got is a great inhibitions to clear thinking and progressive outlook a student should possess. Start doing some introspection first, young man.

Chinaman Wednesday, 02 December 2020 07:57 PM

PhD student should research on how Rice was brought to Ceylon from the moon in the early seventies. Even the Americans brought stones

Gerard de Silva Wednesday, 02 December 2020 11:18 AM

When it landed in the Indian ocean, at first the Indians thought they had discovered water on the moon - till they became aware of what happened

Chinaman Wednesday, 02 December 2020 08:30 PM

When you wake up part of your country will be owned by the Chinese.

VJ Wednesday, 02 December 2020 11:37 AM

Congratulations China. India has the record of launching more satellites in a single mission. NASA too had failures, India is placed 5th in space technology.

CV. Raman Wednesday, 02 December 2020 03:47 PM

Are there Chinese in disguise commenting? Only monkeys who hate their own tails criticize others' tails.

lanakan Wednesday, 02 December 2020 04:51 PM

Very soon we can buy moon rock in SL. Market

Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

China lands spacecraft on moon to retrieve lunar rocks

Comments - 8

Add comment

RECOMMENDED

‘Spike in blast fishing’ poses renewed threats to Sri Lanka’s marine ecosystems

UDA owned land in Thalawathugoda; UDA Minister Prasanna Ranatunga under the spotlight for forceful occupation of reserved land

Loss-making SMIB faces political pressure in recovering loans

Baltimore Bridge Collapse: MV Dali, SL authorities anchored in mystery?

Has Sri Lanka become a potential hub for the illegal wildlife trade?

Spotlight on Moragahakanda Development Project Moragolla villagers lose livelihoods and down to one meal a day

Ambitious Sri Lankan jobseekers ‘trafficked into Ukraine war zones’

Most Viewed in News

Train fails to halt, crashes onto Colombo Fort platform

Racing event tragedy leaves seven dead including eight-year-old child

SL on alert on possible genocide allegations by Canada

New Visa procedure implemented

Sri Lankan among NASA’s new crew for next simulated Mars journey

Two racing drivers arrested over Fox Hill tragedy

MIRROR CRICKET

Is Chamari Athapaththu Sri Lanka’s greatest cricketer ever?

Athapaththu back atop ICC Women’s ODI Batting Rankings

Chamari Athapaththu sets big goal for T20 World Cup

How does CSK get best out of Pathirana?

TODAY'S HEADLINES

No footboard riding allowed, no liability for accidents: Railways Department

Six patients claim Rs.600 million from Keheliya and others for permanent loss of sight

SLPP, UNP initiates action for forming broad alliance

Here is the way!

Pakistan lose key players for last two T20Is against New Zealand

Sri Lanka secures third spot in South Asian Kurash Championship 2024

Athapaththu back atop ICC Women’s ODI Batting Rankings

Army forms committee to probe Diyatalawa Fox Hill Supercross accident