China's cotton seeds sprout on far side of the Moon

China National Space Administration says seeds taken to the Moon by China's Chang'e-4 mission have sprouted.

Jan. 3, 2019, by China National Space Administration via Xinhua News Agency,(China National Space Administration/Xinhua News Agency via AP) Source: China National Space Administrat

It marks the first time any biological matter has grown on the Moon, and is being seen as a significant step towards long-term space exploration.

The Chang'e 4 is the first mission to land on and explore the Moon's far side, facing away from Earth.

It touched down on January the 3rd, carrying instruments to analyse the region's geology.

Plants have been grown on the International Space Station before but never on the Moon.

Technicians work at the Beijing Aerospace Control Center (BACC) in Beijing, capital of China on 11/1/19. Source: AAP

More in English via SBS News.