A Chinese spacecraft has landed on the moon’s far side to collect soil and rock samples that could provide insights into differences between the less-explored region and the better-known near side. The official Xinhua News Agency said the landing module touched down Sunday morning Beijing time. The mission is the sixth in the Chang’e moon exploration program and the second designed to bring back samples. The moon program is part of a growing rivalry with the U.S. and others to explore space. China has put its own space station in orbit and regularly sends crews there. A mechanical arm and drill will gather the samples to be sent back to Earth later this month. A Chinese spacecraft has landed on the moon’s far side to collect soil and rock samples that could provide insights into differences between the less-explored region and the better-known near side. The official Xinhua News Agency said the landing module touched down Sunday morning Beijing time. The mission is the sixth in the Chang’e moon exploration program and the second designed to bring back samples. The moon program is part of a growing rivalry with the U.S. and others to explore space. China has put its own space station in orbit and regularly sends crews there. A mechanical arm and drill will gather the samples to be sent back to Earth later this month. AP Technology and Science
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