China's experimental spacecraft launched today on its eight-day trip flying around the moon and back to Earth, preparing the country for a mission to the lunar surface in 2017.
The experimental spacecraft, called Chang'e 5T1, launched from the Xichang satellite center this morning. China is planning on bringing samples from the moon back to Earth, a feat that has only been accomplished by two other countries in the world so far - America and Russia, reports Daily Mail.
China was also the third country - behind America and Russia - to put a man in the moon in 2003.
Chang'e 5T1 appears to be getting a good start.
"The first stage of the first return journey test in China's moon probe program has been successful," the State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense (Sastind), tells Daily Mail.
During the mission, Chang'e 5T1 should reach 257,000 miles from Earth at its furthest point, reports Daily Mail.
In eight days, upon Chang'e 5T1's return, it's expected to land using a Soviet-designed method, Daily Mail reports. The craft will bounce off Earth's atmosphere to help it slow down. It will then reenter at a slower pace to avoid burning.
