China lands Chang'e-5 on lunar surface to bring back a piece of the Moon

China is on its way to join the elite club of nations with the capability to bring back samples from outer space to Earth

Taking a lead in the newly commenced Moon race, China on Wednesday successfully landed its Chang'e-5 mission on the lunar surface to retrieve samples to be brought back to Earth. The second probe to be landed on the surface aims to collect rock samples and dust for further studies.

Chang'e-5 will collect samples for about two days in a region to the north of Mons Ruemker, a mountain overlooking a vast lunar mare called the Ocean of Storms. According to the Chinese National Space Administration, the probe will bring about 2 kilograms of lunar samples back to Earth in mid-December.