China’s lunar probe takes off from Moon carrying samples

The ascender module of a Chinese lunar probe has successfully taken off from the far side of the Moon carrying samples to be taken back to Earth, state media reported. The achievement is a world first, and the latest leap for Beijing’s decades-old space programme, which aims to send a crewed mission to the Moon by 2030. The ascender module of the Chang’e-6 probe “lifted off from lunar surface”, state news agency Xinhua said, citing the China National Space Administration (CNSA). It described it as “an unprecedented feat in human lunar exploration history”. “The mission has withstood the test of…