China Says Its Moon Mission Is on Track as NASA Suffers Setbacks

  • Uncrewed vehicle to moon’s far side set for first half of year
  • Media report follows US lander’s failure and NASA plan’s delay
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China said its lunar exploration program is on track to hit a target to launch in coming months, with its confident update contrasting with two high-profile setbacks to US efforts to return to the moon.

The Asian nation plans to send an uncrewed spacecraft, Chang’e-6, to the far side of the moon in the first half of 2024, and pre-launch tests for the mission are now underway, state media reported Wednesday.