China is testing a key spacecraft technology designed to help a future lunar exploration mission.

Last week, it sent up a spacecraft to test capabilities for re-entry to earth.

The spacecraft has moved into the transfer orbit between the earth and the moon, and is about 360,000 kilometers away from the earth’s surface. It is due to return Nov 1.

All the equipment on board is well functioning, and the spacecraft has captured many clear images of the moon and the earth.