A Chinese spacecraft has landed on the far side of moon making it a world’s first achievement!
China’s spacecraft Chang’e 4 craft (嫦娥四号) landed on the far side of the moon on 03 Jan 2019 at 10:26 am.
So far all moon landings made have been onto the nearside of the moon, which means the side of the moon that is facing the earth.
The 3 nations to have done so are the United States, the former Soviet Union and recently China.
China’s recent achievement was landing the spacecraft on the far side of the moon, which is referring to the side of the moon that we on earth would never see.
The China National Space Administration said that the touchdown of the spacecraft has “opened up a new chapter in human lunar exploration.”
A photo taken at 11:40 a.m. and sent back by Chang’e 4 shows a small crater and a barren surface that appears to be illuminated by a light from the lunar explorer.
Because the Chang’e 4 craft is on the far side of the moon, communications with earth is a great challenge.
Prior to the moon landing, China had launched a relay satellite Queqiao (Magpie Bridge). With the relay satellite in place, the Chang’e 4 craft will be able it can relay data and commands between the lander and Earth.
The spacecraft’s name Chang’e 4 craft (嫦娥四号), has its name coming from the moon goddess from Chinese mythology.
