China's retrieved lunar samples weigh less than targeted

A footage of reentry module carrying lunar samples landing on the earth during Chang'e-5 Mission, at an event on China’s lunar exploration programme, at the National Astronomical Observatories of Chinese Academy of Sciences, in Beijing on Monday (Jan 18, 2021). - Reuters

BEIJING, Jan 18 (Reuters): Lunar rocks retrieved by a historic Chinese mission to the moon weighed less than initially targeted, but China is still willing to study the samples with foreign scientists, the mission's spokesman said on Monday.

China became the third country ever to secure lunar samples when its unmanned Chang'e-5 probe, named after the mythical moon goddess, brought back 1.731 kg (3.8 lb) of samples last month, falling short of the 2 kg (4.4 lb) planned.