Chang’e 4 Project

Chang’e 4 is a planned Chinese lunar exploration mission, to be launched in late 2018, that will incorporate an orbiter, a robotic lander and rover.  Chang’e 4 will be China’s second lunar lander and rover. It was built as a backup to Chang’e 3, as Chang’e 2 was to Chang’e 1. Following the successful landing of the Chang’e 3 mission, the configuration of Chang’e 4 will be adjusted to meet new scientific objectives. Like its predecessors, the spacecraft is named after Chang’e，the Chinese Moon goddess. Chang’e 4 will be the world’s first soft landing on the far side of the moon.