China’s far side of the moon mission is just the start of its space ambitions

Named after the pet rabbit belonging to the mythical Chinese lunar goddess Chang’e, the Yutu 2 rover is making history as it sends back images and other data from the far side of the moon.

The rover touched down Thursday, delivered to the moon by the Chang’e 4 probe, a historical first for humankind — the far side of the moon has not previously been visited — and a major achievement for China’s increasingly impressive space program.