China will bring samples from an unexplored area of the Moon , according to Peng Jing, deputy chief designer of the Chang’e 5 probe at the China Academy of Space Technology.
You are expected to bring at least one kilogram of samples.
Chang’e 5
China’s upcoming Chang’e 5 lunar mission will land in an area never reached by astronauts or spacecraft. Specifically in the northwestern part of the Oceanus Procellarum , a large lunar plain on the western edge of the near side of the moon.
The 8.2 metric ton probe has four components: orbiter, lander, ascending module, and reentry. He will use a drill to collect underground rocks and a mechanical arm to collect the lunar soil.
Once surface operations are done, the ascending rocket will lift it into lunar orbit to dock with the reentry module. It will transfer lunar samples to the module, which will take them back to Earth. As Peng Jing explains:
How many samples you will bring back depends on many factors, such as the geology of the landing site. We hope you can collect at least a kilo, and if all goes well you can bring 2 or even more. The samples will be distributed to scientists for research on topics including the moon’s physical composition, geological features, and shallow structures, thereby helping to understand the moon’s evolution.