Chinese rocket takes off towards the far side of the Moon

China has launched a probe to collect samples from the far side of the Moon, in what is considered a world first.

An unmanned rocket carrying the Chang’e-6 probe lifted off from the Wenchang Space Launch Center at approximately 17:27 local time (10:27 BST).

The 53-day mission aims to bring about two kilograms of lunar samples to Earth for analysis.

It will attempt to relaunch from the side of the Moon that is far from Earth.

This is described as the dark side of the Moon because it is invisible from Earth, not because it does not catch the sun’s rays.

It has a thicker, older crust with more craters, which are less covered by ancient lava flows than the near side.

Scientists hope this could make it more possible to collect material that will help shed light on how the Moon formed.

Ge Ping, deputy director of China’s Lunar Exploration and Space Engineering Center, told reporters before the launch: “Chang’e-6 will collect samples from the far side of the Moon for the first time.”

The probe is named after the Moon goddess and one of the most popular figures in Chinese mythology.

It is expected to land in the South Pole’s Aitken Basin, which is about 2,500 kilometers (1,553 miles) wide and up to 8 kilometers (5 miles) deep.

Then your goal is to collect lunar soil and rocks and conduct experiments.

The launch marks the first of three unmanned missions to the Moon planned by China this decade.

Chang’e-7 will search for water at the lunar south pole, and Chang’e-8 will attempt to establish the technical feasibility of building a planned base, known as the International Lunar Research Station.

Friday’s liftoff marks the latest stage of China’s space exploration program that competes with the United States.

Five years ago, China became the first country to land a rover on the far side of the Moon.

By 2030, its goal is to have sent its first astronauts to the Moon and to have sent probes to collect samples from Mars and Jupiter.