What's happened
China's Chang'e-6 mission aims to retrieve samples from the Moon's far side, with an undisclosed rover also part of the mission. The probe was launched on May 3rd, and new images show the presence of the mystery rover on the lander.
Why it matters
China's Chang'e-6 mission to the Moon's far side signifies the country's advancements in space exploration, raising concerns in the US. The mission could provide valuable insights into the lunar surface and impact future space endeavors.
What the papers say
According to The Independent, the Chang'e-6 mission includes an undisclosed rover on the lander. The Guardian highlights the escalating rivalry between China and the US in space exploration. The Japan Times reports on China's ambitious lunar program, aiming for a crewed landing and a base on the Moon's south pole.
How we got here
China's space program has made significant strides, including landing a rover on the Moon's far side in 2019. The Chang'e-6 mission builds upon previous successful lunar missions, aiming to return samples from the lunar far side.
Common question
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China, officially the People's Republic of China, is a country in East Asia. It is the world's most populous country, with a population of around 1.4 billion in 2019.
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Chang'e 6 is a planned robotic Chinese lunar exploration mission that is expected to launch in 2024 and perform China's second sample return mission. Like its predecessors, the spacecraft is named after the Chinese moon goddess Chang'e.
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The Moon is Earth's only natural satellite. At about one-quarter the diameter of Earth, it is the fifth largest satellite in the Solar System, the largest satellite in the Solar System relative to its major planet, and larger than any known dwarf planet.
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The United States of America, commonly known as the United States or America, is a country mostly located in central North America, between Canada and Mexico.
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The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is an independent agency of the U.S. Federal Government responsible for the civilian space program, as well as aeronautics and space research.
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Clarence William Nelson II is an American attorney, politician, and former astronaut who served as a United States Senator from Florida from 2001 to 2019.
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Earth is the third planet from the Sun and the only astronomical object known to harbor life. According to radiometric dating estimation and other evidence, Earth formed over 4.5 billion years ago.
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Beijing, alternatively romanized as Peking, is the capital of the People's Republic of China. It is the world's most populous capital city, with over 21 million residents within an administrative area of 16,410.5 kmĀ².