Chinese spacecraft returns to Earth carrying Moon rocks

A simulated image of the ascender of Chang’e-5 spacecraft blasting off from the lunar surface (China National Space Administration/Xinhua via AP)

A Chinese lunar capsule has returned to Earth with the first fresh samples of rock and debris from the Moon in more than 40 years.

The capsule of the Chang’e 5 probe landed in the Siziwang district of the Inner Mongolia region, state media reported shortly after 2am local time.