The uncrewed Chang’e 5 probe is ready to return to Earth after performing China’s first automatic rendezvous and docking in lunar orbit at 5.42am Beijing time on December 6, 2020. The Chang’e 5’s lunar ascender carried samples that were taken on the moon on December 2, and docked to an orbiter to transfer the lunar material. The orbiter is now waiting for the best moment to return to Earth.