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Dec. 6, 2020
The ascender separated from the orbiter-sample return vehicle
Having completed its mission, Chang’e-5’s ascender separated from the orbiter-sample return vehicle. According to Gao Lei(CNSA official), the orbiter-returner will orbit the Moon for about six to seven days, then enter the Earth-Moon transfer orbit, and experience another three to four days of flight before returning to Earth”.
Chang’e-5 orbiter-sample return vehicle separates from ascender
For the rendezvous and docking operations Chang’e-5 used a microwave radar. After docking, the lunar samples were transferred from the ascender to the sample return vehicle.
Chang’e-5 Mission diagram
According to Lin Yangting (professor, Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences), a joint team will be formed with European researchers to study the samples, part of the cooperation with the European Space Agency.
Related articles:
Chang’e-5 ascender docks with the orbiter-sample return vehicle
https://orbiterchspacenews.blogspot.com/2020/12/change-5-ascender-docks-with-orbiter.html
Chang’e-5 - Rendezvous and docking explained
https://orbiterchspacenews.blogspot.com/2020/12/change-5-rendezvous-and-docking.html
Chang’e-5 ascends to lunar orbit
https://orbiterchspacenews.blogspot.com/2020/12/change-5-ascends-to-lunar-orbit.html
Chang’e-5 collecting lunar samples
https://orbiterchspacenews.blogspot.com/2020/12/change-5-collecting-lunar-samples.html
Chang’e-5 lands on the Moon
https://orbiterchspacenews.blogspot.com/2020/12/change-5-lands-on-moon.html
Chang’e-5 ready for Moon landing
https://orbiterchspacenews.blogspot.com/2020/11/change-5-ready-for-moon-landing.html
Chang’e-5 enters lunar orbit
https://orbiterchspacenews.blogspot.com/2020/11/change-5-enters-lunar-orbit.html
Chang’e-5 completes first orbital correction
https://orbiterchspacenews.blogspot.com/2020/11/change-5-completes-first-orbital.html
CASC - Long March-5 Y5 launches Chang’e-5 lunar mission
https://orbiterchspacenews.blogspot.com/2020/11/casc-long-march-5-y5-launches-change-5.html
ESA tracks Chang'e-5 Moon mission
https://orbiterchspacenews.blogspot.com/2020/11/esa-tracks-change-5-moon-mission.html
For more information about China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), visit: http://english.spacechina.com/n16421/index.html
For more information about China National Space Administration (CNSA), visit: http://www.cnsa.gov.cn/
Image, Video, Text, Credits: China Central Television (CCTV)/China National Space Administration (CNSA)/SciNews/Orbiter.ch Aerospace/Roland Berga.
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