Difficulty: Easy
Correct Answer: Chang'e-4, a Chinese probe that landed on the far side of the Moon
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
Space agencies around the world have sent many probes to explore the Moon and other planets. Most lunar landings in the past took place on the near side of the Moon, the side that always faces the Earth. Landing on the far side presents technical challenges because it cannot directly communicate with Earth without a relay satellite. China achieved a major milestone by successfully landing a probe on the far side of the Moon. This question asks you to identify that specific Chinese mission.
Given Data / Assumptions:
- Voyager 2 is a well known United States spacecraft that flew past the outer planets.
- Juno is a mission orbiting the planet Jupiter.
- Mars Pathfinder is a mission that landed on Mars, not the Moon.
- Chang'e-4 is part of China's lunar exploration programme and is associated with the far side of the Moon.
- We assume standard knowledge of major space missions from basic general science.
Concept / Approach:
China's Chang'e programme is named after a Moon goddess in Chinese mythology and includes several robotic missions. Chang'e-4 was launched to perform the first soft landing on the far side of the Moon. Because the far side never faces Earth directly, China also placed a relay satellite in lunar orbit to handle communications. Voyager 2, operated by NASA, explored the outer Solar System beyond Saturn and did not land on the Moon. Juno is a NASA mission to study Jupiter's atmosphere and magnetic field from orbit. Mars Pathfinder, another NASA mission, landed on Mars and deployed the Sojourner rover. Thus, only Chang'e-4 matches the description of touching down on the far side of the Moon.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recognise that the mission in the question is a Chinese probe, so United States missions like Voyager 2, Juno, and Mars Pathfinder can likely be excluded.
Step 2: Recall that Voyager 2 is a flyby probe sent to the outer planets and did not land on any body.
Step 3: Remember that Juno is orbiting Jupiter and is not related to lunar landings.
Step 4: Note that Mars Pathfinder landed on Mars, which is a different celestial body entirely.
Step 5: Identify Chang'e-4 as the Chinese mission that successfully landed on the far side of the Moon, making it the correct choice.
Verification / Alternative check:
News reports and space agency summaries highlight Chang'e-4 as the first mission to achieve a soft landing on the far side of the Moon. They describe its lander and rover exploring the lunar surface and mention the relay satellite Queqiao used for communication. Voyager 2 and Juno are consistently described as missions to the outer Solar System, and Mars Pathfinder is known for its Mars lander and rover. No other mission among the options is connected to the far side of the Moon. This confirms that Chang'e-4 is the correct answer.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
- Voyager 2, a United States probe, conducted flybys of Uranus and Neptune and did not land on the Moon at all.
- Juno, sent to study Jupiter, is an orbiter and has no connection with lunar surface operations.
- Mars Pathfinder landed on Mars and deployed the Sojourner rover, making it a Mars mission, not a Moon mission.
Common Pitfalls:
Some learners may recognise the names Voyager 2 or Mars Pathfinder from famous missions and choose them simply because they sound familiar. Others might not notice that the question specifically mentions a Chinese space probe and the far side of the Moon. To avoid such errors, always pay attention to nationality and target body when answering questions about space missions. Remember that the Chang'e series is Chinese and that Chang'e-4 is specifically linked with the far side of the Moon.
Final Answer:
The Chinese probe that landed on the far side of the Moon is Chang'e-4, a Chinese probe that landed on the far side of the Moon.
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