China and India’s Moon Rovers Take Different Paths on Historic Missions

  • Six-wheeled Pragyan rover will receive instructions from India
  • China’s Yutu-2 has been roaming on moon’s far side since 2019

The surface of the moon as the Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft prepares for landing on Aug. 23.

Source: Indian Space Research Organisation/AP Photos

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After making history by becoming the first nation to successfully send a spacecraft near the moon’s south pole, India is one of only two countries with active rovers on the lunar surface.