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00:24
The return orbiter of China’s Chang’e-5 probe entered moon-to-Earth transfer orbit after completing two orbital maneuvers, the China National Space Administration (CNSA) announced on Sunday.
About 230 kilometers from the lunar surface, the orbiter and returner fired four engines and launched into the moon-to-Earth transfer orbit at 9:51 a.m. BJT.
After about 22 minutes, the engines shut down when the orbiter successfully returned to its assigned orbit.
The Moon-to-Earth transfer orbit, also known as the Hohmann Transfer, is a fuel-efficient route that allows spacecraft to transfer between orbits using the least amount of fuel possible.
The combined orbiter and return vehicles have now escaped lunar gravity and put it on a path towards Earth.
The orbiter and the returner will soon separate at a point about 5,000 kilometers from Earth.
A jump reentry, which involves bouncing off the atmosphere, a maneuver tested by the mission team in 2014, will take place before the returnee returns to Earth alone.
The probe returner with lunar samples collected on board is expected to land at the Siziwang Banner in north China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region in mid-December.
The spacecraft, which comprises an orbiter, lander, ascendant and return, was launched on November 24. The lander and ascendant combination landed on the moon on December 1.
