Chang e 5 docking and sample transfer

The Change5 ascender automatically docked with the orbitersample return vehicle on 5 December 2020, at 21:42 UTC (6 December, at 05:42 China Standard Time). At 22:12 UTC (6 December, 06:12 CST), the sample container, containing the soil collected from the Moon, was transferred from the ascender to the sample return vehicle. Change5 will orbit the Moon for a few days, waiting for adequate window to return to Earth. Credit: China Central Television (CCTV), China National Space Administration (CNSA)