This simulated image shows Chang'e-5 spacecraft blasting off from the lunar surface. The Chinese spacecraft carrying the country's first lunar samples blasted off from the moon late Thursday, the China National Space Administration (CNSA) announced. This represented the first-ever Chinese spacecraft to take off from an extraterrestrial body. (CNSA/Handout via Xinhua)

Photo taken at Beijing Aerospace Control Center (BACC) in Beijing on Dec. 3, 2020 shows the ascender of Chang'e-5 spacecraft blasting off from the lunar surface. The Chinese spacecraft carrying the country's first lunar samples blasted off from the moon late Thursday, the China National Space Administration announced. This represented the first-ever Chinese spacecraft to take off from an extraterrestrial body. (Xinhua/Jin Liwang)

Photo taken at Beijing Aerospace Control Center (BACC) in Beijing on Dec. 3, 2020 shows the ascender of Chang'e-5 spacecraft flying above the lunar surface. The Chinese spacecraft carrying the country's first lunar samples blasted off from the moon late Thursday, the China National Space Administration announced. This represented the first-ever Chinese spacecraft to take off from an extraterrestrial body. (Xinhua/Jin Liwang)

Photo taken at Beijing Aerospace Control Center (BACC) in Beijing on Dec. 3, 2020 shows the ascender of Chang'e-5 spacecraft blasting off from the lunar surface. The Chinese spacecraft carrying the country's first lunar samples blasted off from the moon late Thursday, the China National Space Administration (CNSA) announced. This represented the first-ever Chinese spacecraft to take off from an extraterrestrial body. (CNSA/Handout via Xinhua)

Photo taken on Dec. 3, 2020 shows a view of the command hall of the Beijing Aerospace Control Center (BACC). China's Chang'e-5 spacecraft carrying the country's first lunar samples blasted off from the moon late Thursday, the China National Space Administration (CNSA) announced. This represented the first-ever Chinese spacecraft to take off from an extraterrestrial body. (CNSA/Handout via Xinhua)

Technical personnel work at the Beijing Aerospace Control Center (BACC) in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 3, 2020. China's Chang'e-5 spacecraft carrying the country's first lunar samples blasted off from the moon late Thursday, the China National Space Administration announced. This represented the first-ever Chinese spacecraft to take off from an extraterrestrial body. (Xinhua/Jin Liwang)

Technical personnel work at the Beijing Aerospace Control Center (BACC) in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 3, 2020. China's Chang'e-5 spacecraft carrying the country's first lunar samples blasted off from the moon late Thursday, the China National Space Administration announced. This represented the first-ever Chinese spacecraft to take off from an extraterrestrial body. (Xinhua/Jin Liwang)

Technical personnel work at the Beijing Aerospace Control Center (BACC) in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 3, 2020. China's Chang'e-5 spacecraft carrying the country's first lunar samples blasted off from the moon late Thursday, the China National Space Administration announced. This represented the first-ever Chinese spacecraft to take off from an extraterrestrial body. (Xinhua/Jin Liwang)