China's spacecraft carrying rocks from the far side of the moon leaves the lunar surface

China says a spacecraft carrying rock and soil samples from the far side of the moon has lifted off from the lunar surface to start its journey back to Earth. The ascender of the Chang’e-6 probe lifted off Tuesday morning Beijing time and entered a preset orbit around the moon, the China National Space Administration said. The Chang’e-6 probe was launched last month and its lander touched down on the far side of the moon Sunday. The container with the samples will be transferred to a reentry capsule that is due to return to Earth about June 25.