China says it has successfully landed a robotic spacecraft¹ on the far side of the Moon, the first ever such attempt and landing.

中国宣布，一架太空探测器成功地在月球背面着陆，这是有史以来首次尝试并成功降落。

At 10:26 Beijing time, the un-crewed Chang’e-4 probe touched down in the South Pole-Aitken Basin, state media said.

据官方媒体报道，北京时间10点26分，无人驾驶的“嫦娥四号”探测器降落在月球南极的艾特肯盆地。

It is carrying instruments to analyse the unexplored region’s geology, as well to conduct biological experiments.

探测器携带了相关仪器来分析月球上未开发区域的地质情况，以及进行生物实验。

The landing is being seen as a major milestone² in space exploration.

此次着陆被视为太空探索的一个重要里程碑。

There have been numerous missions to the Moon in recent years, but the vast majority have been to orbit, fly by or impact. The last crewed landing was Apollo 17 in 1972.

近年来，各国开展了有许多月球任务，但绝大多数都是进入轨道，绕月飞行或发生撞击。 上一次登陆行动还是1972年的阿波罗17号。

The Chang’e-4 probe has already sent back its first pictures from the surface, which were shared by state media.

“嫦娥四号”探测器已经从月球表面发回了第一张照片，这些照片在官媒上发布了。

Previous Moon missions have landed on the Earth-facing side, but this is the first time any craft has landed on the unexplored and rugged³ far side.

以前的月球任务曾经降落在月球面向地球的一侧，但这是飞船首次降落在月球遥远的另一侧——未开发的坚固背面。