FIRST OF ITS KIND MISSION: The Chinese Chang'e6 lunar probe is scheduled for launch on May 3, according to the China National Space Administration on Wednesday. The probe is set to collect samples from the far side of the moon, making this mission the first of its kind in human history.
China rolled out the rocket to launch its Chang’e6 mission early Saturday, with the aim of collecting the first lunar far side samples.

The eighth Long March 5 rocket was vertically transferred to the pad at Wenchang Satellite Launch Center on Hainan island April 27.

The Chang’e6 mission aims to land on the far side of the moon—a region never directly visible from Earth—collect up to 2,000 grams of lunar material, and return it to Earth. Such a mission has never before been attempted.

A relay satellite, named Queqiao2, was launched in March. It is now in a specialized lunar orbit to facilitate communications between the Chang’e6 on the lunar far side and ground stations on Earth.

Chinese authorities have yet to disclose a launch time for Chang’e6. However, navigation warnings indicate launch is expected early Friday, May 3.