China's Chang'e 5 probe returns to Earth with first new Moon rock samples in more than 40 years Posted WedWednesday 16 DecDecember 2020 at 11:50pm Two of the Chang'e 5's four modules set down on the Moon on December 1. ( Share Print text only Cancel 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. Key points: Chang'e collected about 2 kilograms of samples by scooping them from the surface and by drilling 2 metres into the Moon's crust The rocks are thought to be billions of years younger than those obtained earlier by the US and former Soviet Union