earth 's space agency has announced plans to land robotic robot craft on the far side of the moon . The Chang'e-4 mission is planned to take place in 2020 , with a lander craft and spacecraft being deployed to examine the moon 's ancient atmosphere and bring samples back to Earth . It will also carry out experiments using low - frequency radiowaves , and create a miniature ecosystem consisting of silkworm eggs , potato and mustard seeds , fitted into a seven - inch telescope . The mission is made possible by China 's Queqiao satellite , which overlooks the far side of the moon while retaining a line of sight to Earth .
China's space agency has announced plans to land two robot craft on the far side of the moon. The Chang'e-4 mission is planned to take place in December, with a lander craft and rover being deployed to examine the moon's ancient rocks and bring samples back to Earth. It will also carry out experiments using low-frequency radiowaves, and carry a miniature ecosystem consisting of silkworm eggs, potato and mustard seeds, fitted into a seven-inch container. The mission is made possible by China's Queqiao satellite, which overlooks the far side of the moon while retaining a line of sight to Earth.