China Readies Chang’e-4, Its Moon Lander, for Launch

In an image provided by NASA Goddard, an animation's still frame shows the moon illuminated by the sun, captured by NASA’s Deep Space Climate Observatory satellite. China is aiming to go where no one has gone before: the far side of the moon. A rocket carrying the Chang’e-4 lunar lander is to blast off on Dec. 8, 2018, from Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southern China. (In the United States, it will still be midday Dec. 7 — 1:15 p.m. Eastern time.) (NASA Goddard via The New York Times) -- FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. --