China to send probe to collect samples from uncharted far side of the moon | Global News

China is set to launch a groundbreaking lunar probe on Friday, aiming to land on the far side of the moon and collect samples that could unlock valuable insights into the geological differences between this less-explored region and the more familiar near side. This mission marks another significant milestone in China’s rapidly advancing space exploration program, which is now in direct competition with the United States.

The upcoming mission follows China’s successful landing of a rover on the moon’s far side in 2019, a historic achievement that positioned China as a key player in space exploration. The far side of the moon, shielded from Earth’s interference, offers a unique opportunity for scientific research, particularly in radio astronomy.

Named after the Chinese mythical moon goddess, the Chang’e lunar exploration probe will be launched on a Long March-5 YB rocket from the Wenchang launch center in Hainan province. The probe is scheduled to lift off on Friday evening, with a target launch time of 5:27 p.m.

China’s ambitious space program also includes plans to put astronauts on the moon by 2030, return samples from Mars, and conduct multiple lunar probe missions in the coming years. The country has already built its own space station and aims to establish a permanent crewed base on the lunar surface in the future.

With the United States also ramping up its space exploration efforts, the race for dominance in space is heating up. While the US plans to send a crew back to the moon by 2025, China’s advancements in space technology and exploration capabilities are positioning it as a formidable contender in the global space race.