A Chinese spacecraft lands on moon’s far side to collect rocks in growing space rivalry with US
SUMMARY
A Chinese spacecraft has landed on the moon’s far side to collect rocks, intensifying the space rivalry with the U.S. The landing occurred Sunday morning Beijing time, as reported by the official Xinhua News Agency. This mission, part of the Chang’e moon exploration program named after a Chinese moon goddess, is the sixth in the series and the second to bring back samples. The lander will use a mechanical arm and drill to collect up to 2 kilograms (4.4 pounds) of surface and underground material, which will be sent back in a capsule currently orbiting the moon.
