In an historic first, China has successfully landed a rover on the far side of the moon, Chinese state media announced Thursday, a huge milestone for the nation as it attempts to position itself as a leading space power. China's National Space Administration (CNSA) landed the Chang'e 4 lunar probe at 10:26 am Beijing time on Thursday, in the South Pole-Aitken Basin which is an impact crater, China Central Television (CCTV) reported.
It made its final descent from a landing orbit 15 kilometers (9.3 miles) above the moon's surface. State media reported the rover transmitted back the world's first close range image of the far side of the moon. No other details were immediately available.
It made its final descent from a landing orbit 15 kilometers (9.3 miles) above the moon's surface. State media reported the rover transmitted back the world's first close range image of the far side of the moon. No other details were immediately available.
