China eyes dark side

CHINA looks set to become the first nation to land on the dark side of the moon.

China’s National Space Administration is believed to be targeting the robotic lander at the Von Karaman crater, near the moon’s south pole.

It’s judged to be the oldest impact crater in the entire solar system, which makes it an ideal collecting ground for ice and a rare hydrogen isotope – both have the potential to power future interplanetary missions.

The mission is tipped for this weekend however Beijing is yet to confirm the date.