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China's space probe lands on Moon to collect lunar samples


According to Beijing's space agency, the Chinese lunar probe successfully landed on the Moon on Tuesday which intended to bring the first lunar sample back to Earth in four decades.


With hopes of having a crewed space station by 2022 and sending humans to the Moon, China has invested billions into its military-run space program.


Collecting lunar rocks and soil was the latest mission's goal to aid scientists in learning about the Moon's origins, formation, and volcanic activity on its surface.


The robotic spacecraft "Chang'e 5" was named after the mythical Chinese goddess of the moon and will spend two days collecting samples, China's state-run news agency Xinhua reported.


If the mission proves successful, it will make China the third country to have retrieved lunar samples, following the United States and the Soviet Union in the 1960s and 1970s.


Xinhua said the Chinese probe entered the Moon's orbit on Saturday after a 112-hour journey from Earth.



Words by Maria Luciyel Tumulak Layout by Kiziah Magbanua

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