# Chang'e 4

> Chinese Moon lander

**Wikidata**: [Q723045](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q723045)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chang'e_4)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/chang-e-4

## Summary
Chang'e 4 is a Chinese lunar lander that achieved the first soft landing on the far side of the Moon. Launched on December 7, 2018, it landed on January 3, 2019, in the South Pole-Aitken Basin. The mission is part of China's Lunar Exploration Program and operates alongside the Yutu-2 rover.

## Key Facts
- Launched on December 7, 2018, from Xichang Satellite Launch Center using a Long March 3B rocket
- Landed on January 3, 2019, in the Von Kármán crater on the Moon's far side
- First spacecraft to achieve a soft landing on the Moon's far side
- Operated by the China National Space Administration (CNSA)
- Mission duration of 12 months (extended beyond initial plan)
- Carries the Netherlands-China Low-Frequency Explorer scientific instrument
- Named after the Chinese moon goddess Chang'e
- Has the COSPAR ID 2018-103A and NSSDCA ID 2018-103A

## FAQs
### Q: What makes Chang'e 4's mission unique?
A: Chang'e 4 is the first spacecraft to successfully land on the far side of the Moon, which always faces away from Earth. This required a relay satellite to maintain communication with Earth.

### Q: What scientific instruments does Chang'e 4 carry?
A: Chang'e 4 carries multiple scientific instruments including cameras, ground-penetrating radar, and the Netherlands-China Low-Frequency Explorer for radio astronomy observations.

### Q: How long has Chang'e 4 been operating on the Moon?
A: Chang'e 4 landed on January 3, 2019, and was designed for a 12-month primary mission, though it has continued operating beyond its initial planned duration.

## Why It Matters
Chang'e 4 represents a major milestone in lunar exploration and space technology. By successfully landing on the Moon's far side—a region never before reached by a soft landing—China demonstrated advanced capabilities in spacecraft navigation, communication relay systems, and autonomous landing technology. The far side of the Moon offers unique scientific opportunities, including radio astronomy free from Earth's radio interference and the study of ancient lunar geology in the South Pole-Aitken Basin, one of the largest known impact craters in the solar system. This mission advances our understanding of lunar formation and evolution while establishing China as a major spacefaring nation capable of complex deep-space missions. The technological achievements also pave the way for future lunar exploration, including potential human missions and the establishment of lunar research stations.

## Notable For
- First successful soft landing on the Moon's far side
- Demonstrated relay communication technology necessary for far-side operations
- Carried the Yutu-2 rover, which continues to explore the lunar surface
- Included international collaboration through the Netherlands-China Low-Frequency Explorer
- Landed in the scientifically significant South Pole-Aitken Basin

## Body
### Mission Overview
Chang'e 4 is the fourth mission in China's Lunar Exploration Program, following Chang'e 3. The mission consists of a stationary lander and the Yutu-2 rover, which work together to explore the lunar far side.

### Technical Specifications
The spacecraft was launched aboard a Long March 3B rocket from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center. It entered lunar orbit before performing a powered descent to the surface. The landing site is located in the Von Kármán crater within the South Pole-Aitken Basin.

### Scientific Objectives
The mission carries multiple scientific payloads for lunar surface analysis, including cameras for imaging, ground-penetrating radar for subsurface exploration, and instruments for measuring the lunar environment. The Netherlands-China Low-Frequency Explorer conducts radio astronomy observations from the lunar far side.

### Operational Aspects
Communication with Chang'e 4 requires the Queqiao relay satellite, which was launched earlier to maintain line-of-sight communication between the spacecraft and Earth. The lander and rover operate during the lunar day (approximately 14 Earth days) and hibernate during the lunar night.

### Legacy and Impact
Chang'e 4's successful mission has provided valuable data about the Moon's far side composition and environment. The mission demonstrates China's growing capabilities in space exploration and contributes to international scientific knowledge about our celestial neighbor.

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## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report
2. [Source](https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2018/12/china-returning-moon-change-4-mission/)
3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
4. [Source](https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2019/01/china-returning-moon-change-4-mission/)
5. BBC Things
6. BabelNet