China's Ambitious Lunar Exploration Plans: Sample Return, 3D-Printed Bases, and Manned Missions.

China plans to launch its Chang'e 6 mission in May 2024, which will attempt to collect the first samples from the far side of the moon. The mission will last 53 days and seek to collect up to 4.4 pounds of lunar materials using a scoop and a drill. The primary target landing site is reported to be around 43 degrees south latitude and 154 degrees west longitude on the far side of the moon. The mission will be even more challenging as the far side of the moon never faces Earth and cannot be seen directly.