In a momentous milestone for China's space exploration program, a Chinese spacecraft has successfully landed on the far side of the moon on Sunday. The purpose of this mission is to collect valuable soil and rock samples that could offer critical insights into the differences between the less-explored region and the well-known near side.

The landing module touched down at 6:23 a.m. Beijing time in the gigantic South Pole-Aitken Basin, a prominent crater on the moon's far side. This remarkable achievement marks the sixth mission in China's Chang'e moon exploration program, named after a Chinese moon goddess. Notably, it is the second mission designed to retrieve samples, following the successful Chang'e 5 mission that collected from the near side in 2020.

China's space ambitions are evident in the growing rivalry with the United States, which is currently the leader in space exploration. Alongside the US, other countries like Japan and India are also asserting their presence in the global space race. China has already established its own space station and frequently sends crews there, demonstrating its emergence as a global power in space exploration.

China's ultimate goal is to send a person to the moon before 2030, following in the footsteps of the United States. NASA, the American space agency, plans to land astronauts on the moon again for the first time in over half a century, with an adjusted target date of 2026. However, the US has faced repeated delays in its private-sector rocket launches for its spacecraft. Recently, Boeing's planned astronaut flight was postponed due to last-minute computer issues.

The current Chinese mission involves a series of complex operations. The lander will utilize a mechanical arm and drill to gather approximately 2 kilograms (4.4 pounds) of surface and underground material over a span of two days. An ascender, situated on top of the lander, will then transfer the collected samples to a metal vacuum container located on another orbiting module. Eventually, this container will be transferred to a re-entry capsule, which is scheduled to return to Earth in China's Inner Mongolia region around June 25.

Exploring the moon's far side poses unique challenges due to the lack of direct communication with Earth. A relay satellite is required to maintain communication with the lander. Moreover, the terrain on the far side is more rugged, offering fewer flat landing areas.

The South Pole-Aitken Basin, the designated landing site, is an ancient impact crater, believed to have formed over 4 billion years ago. With a depth of 13 kilometers (8 miles) and a diameter of 2,500 kilometers (1,500 miles), it is the oldest and largest known crater on the moon. Scientists believe that the materials ejected by this colossal impact could provide valuable early information about the moon's composition and history.

China's successful landing and sample collection on the moon's far side represents another significant step forward in the country's space exploration ambitions. It highlights China's determination to play an influential role in the global space race and adds to the growing rivalry between nations in this exciting field of scientific endeavor.