ecns [expanded by feedex.net]: China plans to launch Chang'e 5 in 2017

ecns [expanded by feedex.net]

ecns

China plans to launch Chang'e 5 in 2017
http://www.ecns.cn/2013/12-16/92780.shtml
Dec 16th 2013, 03:56



2013-12-16 12:56 Xinhua Web Editor: Mo Hong'e


China plans to launch lunar probe Chang'e 5 in 2017, according to the State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense. [Special coverage]


"The development of Chang'e 5 is proceeding smoothly," said the administration's spokesman Wu Zhijian at a press conference on Monday.


The just-concluded Chang'e 3 mission marked completion of the second phase of the country's lunar program, which includes orbiting, landing and returning to Earth.


The lunar program will enter the next stage of unmanned sampling and returning, which will include Chang'e 5 and 6 missions, according to Wu.


"The program's third phase will be more difficult because many breakthroughs must be made in key technologies such as moon surface takeoff, sampling encapsulation, rendezvous and docking in lunar orbit, and high-speed Earth reentry, which are all new to China," Wu said.


As the backup probe of Chang'e 3, Chang'e 4 will be adapted to verify technologies for Chang'e 5, according to Wu.


China's Chang'e 1 and Chang'e 2 missions were in 2007 and 2010.


Launched on Oct. 1, 2010, Chang'e 2 is about 65 million km from Earth and is China's first man-made asteroid. It is heading for deep space.







China's first moon rover and lander took photos of each other on the moon's surface Sunday night, a move that marks a complete success of the country's Chang'e-3 lunar probe mission.







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