China's space rover started the world's first mission on the surface of the far side of the moon. China says the giant leap is a decisive move for the nation's space exploration and ambitions. Since 2003, China has sent six crews into space and launched two space labs into Earth's orbit. In 2013, it successfully landed a rover on the moon, becoming only the third country to do so. China's space program is about more than just bragging rights for Beijing. The moon plays host to a wealth of mineral resources, including rare earth metals (REM) used in smartphones and other modern electronics. China already dominates the global supply of REM, and exclusive access to the moon's supply could provide huge economic advantages.
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