CHANG'E-5 AND JAXA SAMPLE RETURN MISSION UPDATES

     Hey, Space Placers!

China's Chang'e-5 mission is in lunar orbit with onboard lunar samples. 

China's Chang'e 5 moon
 sample-return ascent vehicle lifts
 off from the lunar surface
 in this view captured by
 the lander itself at 
Mons Rumker in the Ocean of Storms on
 Dec. 3, 2020. 
(Image credit: CNSA/CLEP via Space.com)

It will take a few days for the orbiter to wait for proper alignment with Earth before it can begin its return. More on this as the mission continues.

Japan's Hayabusa2 mission  successfully landed in the Australian outback and a search is underway to  find it. 

The return capsule of Japan's Hayabusa2 asteroid-sampling mission streaks through Earth's atmosphere shortly before landing on Dec. 5, 2020.

The return capsule of Japan's Hayabusa2

 asteroid-sampling mission streaks through

 Earth's atmosphere shortly before

 landing on Dec. 5, 2020.

(Image: © JAXA via Space.com)

I'll have more on this mission as well.

Sky Guy in VA

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