India was in talks with China for its lunar mission, failed to take off

A rare opportunity for India and China to cooperate in a high-profile space mission fell through after the two countries disagreed on the nature of Indian payload to be carried on the Chang’e-4 lunar mission, it has emerged. China’s Chang’e-4 lunar exploration mission was the first one to land on far side of the moon the side that’s not visible from earth on January 3, the mission has sent back from moon’s surface.

A rare opportunity for India and China to cooperate in a high-profile space mission fell through after the two countries disagreed on the nature of the Indian payload to be carried on the Chang’e-4 lunar mission, it has emerged.

China’s Chang’e-4 lunar exploration mission was the first one to land on the far side of the moon – the side that’s not visible from earth – on January 3. Since landing, the mission has sent back stunning first-time images from the moon’s surface. It has been carrying out a series of scientific research tasks involving multiple countries and organisations.

China’s lunar exploration chief Wu Weiren called the mission a “huge stride” for China.

It could have been a breakthrough stride for Sino-India cooperation in space – both countries have successful space programs – as well had Chang’e-4 carried the Indian payload.