Which spacecraft was the first to land on the far side of the Moon?
Quick Answer
China’s Chang’e 4 became the first spacecraft to achieve a soft landing on the Moon’s far side on 3 January 2019. It landed in Von Kármán crater inside the South Pole–Aitken Basin.
The Full Story
China’s Chang’e 4 mission made history on 3 January 2019 by becoming the first spacecraft to soft-land on the Moon’s far side. The lander touched down in Von Kármán crater, a site within the giant South Pole–Aitken Basin. Because the far side never faces Earth, the mission used the Queqiao relay satellite at the Earth–Moon L2 point for communications. Chang’e 4 also carried the Yutu-2 rover, which continued operating for years after landing.
Key Facts
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"The Moon’s hidden side finally got a visitor."
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