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What lies on the dark side of the moon? The ruined civilization of our lunar forbearers? A pile of overplayed Pink Floyd records? The most exclusive Airbnb in the galaxy? China’s on the case, launching the first expedition of its kind, a journey to the moon’s untapped hemisphere.

The closest extraterrestrial body, the moon has done much to shape our history and mythologies. It’s been associated with Artemis and Greek conceptions of rebirth. It’s also connected with Chang’e, the Chinese goddess of the moon.

Hence the name of China’s latest probe, the Chang’e-4. The mission, part of China’s Lunar Exploration Program (CLEP), plans to land the probe and accompanying rover on the far side of the moon.

"We are currently discussing the next moon landing site for Chang’e 4," Chief lunar exploration engineer Wu Weiren told China Central Television. "We probably will choose a site that is more difficult to land and more technically challenging. Other countries have chosen to land on the near side of the moon. Our next move probably will see some spacecraft land on the far side of the moon."

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I don't think that they have the technology to do all this. Most of their space technology is stolen from various countries, especially from the former USSR. Right now, only two countries are capable of conducting manned missions to the moon. They are the United States and Russia. China is a long way off.

Not a manned mission.

The "Far Side", erroneously called the dark side, is the back side which never faces Earth.  It does get sunlight two weeks a month.

Probes landing there would not be able to communicate with Earth except if an orbiter relayed the comm, or if a comm relay satellite was placed at one of the Lagrange points.  Those would be very interesting experiments.

You're right, US and Russia could do that. But don't underestimate China just because it often imitates technology from other countries. Chinese is one of the most genius man and China has made many space mission before.

China is definitely not a country to underestimate. They are an emerging superpower with a huge economy. I wouldn't be surprised if they overtake us as far as space exploration is concerned, stolen technology and all.

As of today we have the entire back side of the Moon imaged to 0.5 meter, plus various high resolution gravity databases, magnetic and spectographic imaging.  These were done by polar orbiting spacecraft.

Essentially this puts the useful functionality of a "lander" in a different perspective.

There are geological questions to be answered.  And politically, landing on the dark side would be something "that has never been done before."

But there's that darn Nazi base there...

I think China can do it but the question is when? USA and USSR had spent huge amount of cash on their space programs and sacrificed many lives in the process that took tens of years. China has the funds and technology (even if its not the best yet) but they don't have as much experience. The purpose of the expedition is quite clear - they want to show the world that China is a world power and can compete with US and Russia.

maybe this?

http://up.picr.de/21985047ao.png

Lol after reclaiming some of our lands in West Philippine Sea including some in our economic zone , now they want to reclaim too in the Moon. Peace.

The main difference between China and US now is that China don't need to ask permission or go through a democratic process and get the budget approved.This means that China can progress their space programme quickly.
I think they can do it before 2025.

"There is no dark side of the moon really. Matter of fact it's all dark."


http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/Dark_Side_of_the_Moon_dark_side_9064.jpg

If F-35s debacle taught us something, its the fact, that Chinese engineers can copy and modernize US technology faster, than Americans are able to develop and finish it.

No doubt, let others spend their R&D money on the first bunch of steps and then rip it off and start forward from an advanced position. Hardly an honorable endeavor.

I dont remember a time, when national defense of any sovereign country was driven by honor  ;) My point is, that Chinese are Moon capable, if not now, they will be in a decade at most and unlike Westerners, they will also have handy capital and personel willing to make sacrifices to get and stay there.

Question is how much they are willing to spend, or to lose more precisely. I guess it's a question of honor, nobody has ever done it, so if the Chinese are the first to do it, they'll be very proud. It's politics...

Hope they do it really, I mean, The Moon landing conspiracy theories claim that some or all elements of the Apollo program and the associated Moon landings were hoaxes staged by NASA with the aid of other organizations. Three main teories: The Space Race (Cold War), NASA funding and prestige and Vietnam War.

Colour me well and truly surprised that no lander has ever touched down there before. They've landed on Titan but never popped along to there? Those space Nazis really must have pulled some very long strings.

Useless. Space exploration for the most part is useless other than for research/academics. We need to focus on Earth and building humanity(Such as increasing their lifespans, finding better alternative energy etc).

Frankly, I would think Titan or Europa or Ceres or Mars would in almost anyone's mind, be far more interesting than the far side of the Moon.

Unquestionably, but there still must be plenty to learn. Science types pushed pretty hard for the Apollo 17 landing site to be there. They were undone by safety and funding concerns.

China is an emerging superpower. Heck, how many Chinese goods are you seeing each and everyday of your life? A ton. The Chinese gov't could easily spend the money needed for the exploration without the long wait. Also, Chinese people are good imitators and genius people too. Even if they don't have their own technology, they could easily copy one from the nations that has the capabilities and the tech and voila! We have constructed our own! Exploring the dark side of the moon could probably be an interesting event in Man's history, and this could actually prove whether the moon landings made by the US was fake or not.

The Chinese are getting a taste of their own medicine, as cheap labor sources such as Vietnam and Philippines are edging them out in competition. Many of the manufacturing industries have shifted their bases to other countries in South-East Asia, as the cost of production is rising in China. So it is not all that rosy there.

The Chinese have already photographed and verified the Apollo landing sites.  Of course this just makes them part of the conspiracy according to the denier idiots.   :o

http://www.upi.com/Science_News/2012/02/06/China-releases-new-moon-images/UPI-66391328577844/#ixzz1lhsQRJ64