Chinese capsule with moon rocks begins journey back to Earth

The Chang'e 5 lunar probe landed on the moon earlier this month and collected about 2 kilograms of samples

This graphic simulation image is provided by China National Space Administration, showing the orbiter and returner combination of China's Chang'e-5 probe. Credit: AP

A Chinese space capsule bringing back the first moon rocks in more than four decades has begun its return to Earth.

The Chang'e 5 lunar probe left the moon's orbit on Sunday morning by activating four engines for about 22 minutes, the China National Space Administration said in a social media post.

The mission landed on the moon earlier this month and collected about 2 kilograms (4.4 pounds) of samples.

The return capsule is expected to land in northern China in the Inner Mongolia region after a three-day journey.

The material would be the first brought back since the Soviet Union's Luna 24 probe in 1976.