Chang'e-5 orbiter-returner makes 2nd orbital maneuver

The orbiter-returner combination of China's Chang'e-5 probe on Sunday completed its second moon-Earth transfer injection maneuver and entered the moon-Earth transfer orbit, according to the China National Space Administration (CNSA).

The combination conducted the orbital maneuver to escape lunar gravity and enter the transfer orbit to return to Earth.

CNSA

The spacecraft, comprising an orbiter, a lander, an ascender and a returner, was launched on November 24. The lander-ascender combination landed on the moon on December 1.

The probe's returner is expected to land at the Siziwang Banner in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region in mid-December.