China capsule carrying samples lifts off from moon

A Chinese craft lifted off from moon Thursday night with a cargo of lunar rocks, beginning first st of its return to Earth. Chang'e 5, third Chinese craft to land on moon and first to take off from it again, is latest in a series of increasingly ambitious Chinese missions. country also has an orbiter and rover headed to Mars.

Chang'e 5 touched down Tuesday on Sea of Storms on near side of moon. Its mission was to collect about two kilograms (four pounds) of lunar rocks and bring m back to Earth, first such feat since American and Soviet craft did so in late 1960s and 1970s. landing site was near a formation called Mons Rumker and may contain rocks billions of years younger than those retrieved earlier.

moon rocks and debris were sealed inside a special canister to avoid contamination. ascent vehicle lifted off from moon shortly after 11 p.m. Beijing time Thursday (1500 GMT) and was due to rendezvous with a return vehicle in lunar orbit, n transfer samples to a capsule, according to China National Administration. After transfer, ascent module would be ejected and capsule would remain in lunar orbit for about a week, awaiting optimal time to make trip back to Earth.