:format(webp)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/grupoclarin/6QRRE7GX2VCB7KVYFDNZHOCKJQ.jpg "China launches probe to collect samples from the far side of the Moon")
China launched a probe on Friday to reach the far side of the Moon and return with samples that could provide information about the differences between the less explored region and the better-known near side.
It is the latest advance in China’s increasingly sophisticated space exploration program, which now competes with the United States—which remains the leader in space.
China already landed a vehicle on the far side of the Moon in 2019, being the first country to do so. And it took samples from the near side of the Moon in 2020, the first time anyone has done so since the 1970s. Analysis of the samples revealed that they contained water in small beads embedded in lunar soil.
China also has a three-member crew on its own orbiting space station and aims to land astronauts on the moon by 2030. Three Chinese lunar probe missions are planned over the next four years.
The rocket carrying the Chang’e-6 lunar probe lifted off on Friday from the Wenchang launch center in the island province of Hainan. After orbiting the Moon to slow down, the lander will separate.