It looks like China will leapfrog the US in the race to the moon after a fuel leak ruined a pivotal mission

Wed, 01/10/2024 - 07:03

A Long March 5 rocket blasts off from its launchpad — China launched its previous robotic mission to the moon, Chang'e 5, from the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site in November 2020.
Jin Liwang/Xinhua via Getty Images

China is gearing up to launch a lunar lander within the next few months.
The news comes days after a fuel leak doomed a US space mission to the lunar surface.
The Chinese mission will attempt the first-ever sample collection from the far side of the moon.

China is on track to launch a lunar lander in the first half of this year — a move that could show its ability to beat the US in the race back to the moon.