China’s latest lunar success includes a swipe at America

The Chang’e 6 lunar sample return probe has returned with its precious cargo from the far side of the moon. The successful mission is another small step on the long march to a Chinese crewed lunar landing.

The Chang’e 6 launched in early May and arrived in lunar orbit about a week later. It circled the moon for 20 days before the lander separated from the orbiter in early June to land at the Apollo crater on the far side of the moon.

Greg Autry, the author of “Red Moon Rising,”...