China launches far-side moon mission as competition with U.S. heats up

Chang'e 6 probe to return samples as players push for crewed voyages

20240502 china launch

A rocket carrying China's Chang'e 6 spacecraft blasts off from the Wenchang Space Launch Site in Hainan province on May 3. (Xinhua via AP)

JAMES HAND-CUKIERMAN, Nikkei staff writer

TOKYO -- China on Friday launched its latest mission to the moon, aiming for the side that faces away from Earth and upping the ante on the U.S. and other players.

The Chang'e 6 probe lifted off just before 5:30 p.m. local time on a Long March 5 rocket from a space center in southern China's Hainan Province.

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