Of course it's different, but you're still sending a probe to a celestial body, so things like building the rocket, designing radiation-hardened hardware, space

Of course it's different, but you're still sending a probe to a celestial body, so things like building the rocket, designing radiation-hardened hardware, space communications, launching on a desired trajectory, automated landing with retro-propulsion etc are all similar and needed for both. Basically, if you're going to practice the Moon is the place to do it, and that's why the US, Soviet, Chinese and now Indian space programs are all following the same basic game plan.