Many of the country’s launches—and more difficult efforts in space—are only reported after the fact, when they are successful. “The success by the Chinese agency comes as NASA remains barred from working with China on spaceflight activities. This block was put in place by former US Rep. Frank Wolf and supported through the appropriations process by Rep. John Culberson. Both men are now out of office, so there is a chance the prohibition could be reviewed. During an 11-minute descent, Chang’e-4 slowed its speed from 1.7 km/s to nearly zero before it landed in the Von Karman Crater in the South Pole-Aitken Basin. Front page layoutSite themeSign up or login to join the discussions! This represents a true “first,” as no country has ever reached the far side of the Moon, where there is no means of direct communication with Earth.
