China launches the Chang’e 4 spacecraft atop a Long March 3B rocket in a milestone mission to land a rover on the far side of the moon.
China launched the Chang’e 4 spacecraft atop a Long March 3B rocket on Friday in a milestone mission to land a rover on the far side of the moon.
While the dark side of the moon has been seen and mapped before, the successful landing of Chang’e 4 would represent the first time any spacecraft has touched down there. The mission is part of China’s heavy investment in lunar exploration and growing capabilities in space through the China National Space Administration.
Chang’e 4 comes about two years after China made the first soft landing on the moon since 1976. Similar in design to that Chang’e 3 craft and its «Jade Rabbit» rover, the Chang’e 4 spacecraft will carry a bigger payload and more capabilities.
