The Chang’e 5 lunar orbiter, lander, and sample collection return vehicle left its sea-side launch pad at the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Center in Wenchang, Hainan province, People’s Republic of China to begin its journey to the moon right on time at 20:30:12 UTC (15:30:12 EST) on 23 November.
The mission launched on a Chang Zheng 5 heavy lift vehicle at the opening of a 50 minute launch window. The launch successfully sent its lunar payload on a 6 day journey to our closest celestial neighbor.