The Long March-5, China’s largest carrier rocket, flew over Luzon as it headed to the moon after it was launched on Tuesday morning.
In a footage from China’s state-run CGTN Youtube channel on Tuesday, the rocket was shown passing over Luzon and the Pacific Ocean on its way to its orbit.
The Long March-5 was launched at 4:30 a.m. Beijing time from Wenchang Space Launch Center on the southern Chinese island of Hainan carrying the Chang’e-5 spacecraft.
China hailed the launch as a success.
The Chang’e-5 mission, named after the ancient Chinese goddess of the moon, will seek to collect lunar material to help scientists understand more about the moon’s origins and formation.
The mission will test China’s ability to remotely acquire samples from space, ahead of more complex missions.
