Technical personnel monitor the transfer of samples collected on the moon from the ascender to the returner of China's Chang'e-5 probe at Beijing Aerospace Control Center in Beijing, capital of China, Dec 6, 2020.  (JIN LIWANG / CHINA)

BEIJING - As the Chang'e 5 probe will bring moon samples back to Earth, its preset landing site in Siziwang Banner in north China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region is ready for its return, according to the search and retrieval team of the mission on Tuesday.

A search and retrieval team on the landing site has conducted several drills to test their nighttime searching abilities and equipment performance

To meet the challenges brought by harsh weather, heavy snow, the small size of the return capsule and the special returning method, a search and retrieval team on the landing site has conducted several drills to test their night-time searching abilities and equipment performance.

The return capsule of the Chang'e 5 probe is only one-seventh the size of the return capsule of China's manned spaceship. However, its landing area is 16 times larger, adding difficulties to the search mission.

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According to Bian Hancheng from the search team, the probe in the return capsule will adopt a skip reentry method mimicking a skipping stone, which will make it difficult to control and result in a particularly large retrieval area.

The search team has taken many technical measures to face those challenges. The processed radar data will be sent to the helicopters and vehicles to guide them in the retrieval of the capsule.

The team has also conducted nearly 30 terrain surveys of the landing area.

Chang'e 5 is one of the most complicated and challenging missions in China's aerospace history. It is also the world's first moon-sample mission in more than 40 years.

READ MORE: China's Chang'e-5 completes sampling on moon

The Chang'e 5 probe, comprising of an orbiter, lander, ascender and a returner, was launched on Nov 24, and its lander-ascender combination touched down on the north of the Mons Rumker in Oceanus Procellarum, also known as the Ocean of Storms, on the near side of the moon on Dec 1.

The returner of the probe is expected to land in the Siziwang Banner in mid-December.