Chinese spacecraft first to land on moon’s far side

By Fuat Kabakci

BEIJING (AA) - China’s spacecraft became the first to land on the far side of the moon on Jan. 2, local media reported on Thursday.

China's National Space Administration said robotic probe Chang’e-4 landed on the far side of the moon that is never visible from the Earth at 10:26 a.m. Beijing Time (0226GMT), according to Xinhua news agency.

The news agency also shared the first photos showing the moon’s far side taken by the Chinese spacecraft, adding:

“The probe, comprising a lander and a rover, landed at the preselected landing area at 177.6 degrees east longitude and 45.5 degrees south latitude on the far side of the moon."

China launched the Chang’e-4 on Dec. 7 from southwestern Xichang city.

The probe is also “expected to study the mineral composition and shallow lunar surface structure of the Moon's far side, as well as perform low-frequency radio astronomical observation,” according to China’s international media organization CGTN.

Describing the landing as “historic,” the CGTN said that the spacecraft “will be a key step in revealing the mysterious side of the Moon”.