The geology of the far side is rougher, more cratered and contains more ancient material than the near side

Tidal forces long ago slowed the moon's rotation so that the less-dense highlands of the far side face away our planet

This topographic image from Nasa shows the highest elevations in red and the lowest in blue

China’s Chang’e 4 moon lander touched down in the Von Kármán crater within the Aitken basin – the moon’s largest, deepest and oldest crater

Line of sight communication with relay satellite

Relay satellite sits in a ‘halo’ orbit 40,000 to 50,000 miles beyond the Moon

Tidal forces long ago slowed the moon's rotation so that the less-dense highlands of the far side face away our planet

This topographic image from Nasa shows the highest elevations in red and the lowest in blue

China’s Chang’e 4 Moon lander touched down in the Von Kármán crater within the Aitken basin – the moon’s largest, deepest and oldest crater

Relay satellite sits in a ‘halo’ orbit 40,000 to 50,000 miles beyond the moon