Having completed its mission, Chang’e-5’s ascender separated from the orbiter-sample return vehicle.

According to Gao Lei(CNSA official), the orbiter-returner will orbit the Moon for about six to seven days, then enter the Earth-Moon transfer orbit, and experience another three to four days of flight before returning to Earth”.

For the rendezvous and docking operations Chang’e-5 used a microwave radar.

After docking, the lunar samples were transferred from the ascender to the sample return vehicle.
Credit: China Central Television (CCTV)/China National Space Administration (CNSA)