https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/chinas-change-5-mission-launches-to-collect-lunar-samples/ > The first lunar sample-return mission since the 1970s is underway. > China’s robotic Chang’e 5 mission launched today (Nov. 23) from Wenchang Space Launch Center in Hainan province, rising into the sky atop a Long March 5 rocket at about 3:30 p.m. EST (2130 GMT; 4:30 a.m.on Nov. 24 local time in Hainan).