China launches unmanned moon mission

China Central Television (CCTV)

China has launched an uncrewed lunar spacecraft in a first-of-its-kind mission to bring back samples from the far side of the moon.

(Image credit: Luo Yunfei/China News Service/VCG via Getty Images)

It’s the latest step in a rapidly advancing Chinese space programme.

China Central Television (CCTV)

The Chang’e 6 lifted off from the Wenchang Space Launch Site in China’s southern island province of Hainan.

The robotic lander will aim for a large impact crater on the far side of the moon known as Apollo basin, where it will attempt to collect up to 2 kilograms of lunar material.

After the samples are collected, they will be transferred to the ascent vehicle, which will then launch them back up to the orbiter.

After the samples dock with the orbiter, the spacecraft will then begin its journey back toward Earth.

If the samples are successfully returned and collected, they will provide Earth's first glimpse at pristine moon material from the lunar far side and will help answer questions about both the early impact history of the solar system and the geological evolution of the moon space.com reported.