China launched uncrewed lunar spacecraft Chang'e 6, the first to retrieve samples from the moon's far side.

China launched an uncrewed lunar spacecraft, Chang'e 6, marking the first-ever mission to bring back samples from the far side of the moon. This advances China's space program and fuels competition with the U.S. in the race for lunar exploration. The mission took off from the Wenchang Space Launch Site in China's southern island province of Hainan, generating excitement and attracting tourists to the area.