China to launch sample return mission to the far side of the Moon – maybe next week

China's space program will next week launch mission that aims to land on the Moon, take samples, and bring them back to Earth.

The Chang'e-6 probe and the Long March-5 Yao-8 rocket that will carry it into space were moved to a launchpad at the Wenchang Space Launch Site on Saturday. China's National Space Agency named "early May" as the likely launch window – other reports name May 3 as the expected launch date.

Whenever it flies, Chang'e-6 will make its way to a region on the far side of the Moon near the south pole – a region felt to offer clues about the satellite's evolution.

The mission is complex, as it comprises an orbiter, lander, ascender, and re-entry module. But China's done this before – Chang'e-6 was built as the backup to Chang'e-5, and the latter mission ended in triumph.

The lander is ...