China successfully launched the Chang'e-6 mission to the far side of the Moon (2 photos + 1 video)
Chinese scientists hope to be the first in history to obtain lunar soil 4 billion years old. 
This afternoon, the Chinese Long March 5 Y8 launch vehicle carrying the Chang'e 6 lunar probe successfully launched from the Wenchang Satellite Launch Center on Hainan Island.
The main goal of the Chang'e-6 mission is to conduct an experiment to obtain oxygen from regolith on the Moon, as well as deliver soil to Earth. If the mission is successful, the Chinese, for the first time in human history, will become the owners of soil samples from the far side of the Moon, which are more than 4 billion years old.
According to the latest data, the lunar probe entered orbit according to the specified parameters. The deployment of the solar sail also took place as usual. The Apollo impact crater, located in the South Pole-Aitken basin, was chosen as the landing site for the vehicle.
It is noted that the lunar probe will extract soil using a drilling rig and a robotic bucket. After collecting the samples in a container, the ascent module will leave the Moon, dock with the orbiter in orbit, and then the return module will deliver the soil to Earth. It is expected to land in northern China - Inner Mongolia. The Chang'e 6 mission is expected to last 53 days. Chinese scientists hope to obtain about two kilograms of lunar soil.
