China Envisions Moon Base After Far-side Success
Daniyal Sohail Published January 14, 2019 | 09:37 PM
China will seek to establish an international lunar base one day, possibly using 3D printing technology to build facilities, the Chinese space agency said Monday, weeks after landing a rover on the moon's far side
The agency said four more lunar missions are planned, confirming the launch of a probe by the end of the year to bring back samples from the moon.
The future launches will culminate with a mission to test equipment for an international moon research base, Wu Yanhua, deputy chief commander of China's Lunar Exploration Programme, said at a press briefing.
"China, the United States, Russia and Europe are all discussing whether to build a research base or a research station on the moon," Wu said.
Scientists are looking into "whether we can use 3D printing technology" to build lunar facilities, he added.
China took a major step in its ambition to achieve space superpower status when it became the first nation to land a probe on the far side of the moon on January 3.
The Chang'e-4 lander -- named after the moon goddess in Chinese mythology -- released a rover that will perform experiments in the Von Karman Crater, which is located in the South Pole-Aitken Basin.
The rover, dubbed Yutu-2 (Jade Rabbit), was preparing to go back to work after waking from five days of hibernation on Thursday.
"It will be the first time that we are able to study the origin and formation... (of) the darker side the moon, including the age of... the moon," said Wu Weiren, general designer of the Lunar Exploration Programme.
Basking the mission's success, the China National Space Administration discussed plans for the future missions.
The Chang'e-5 probe, originally scheduled to collect moon samples in the second half of 2017, will launch by the end of the year, Wu said.
The mission was delayed after its planned carrier, the powerful Long March 5 Y2 rocket, failed in a separate launch in July 2017.
Following that mission, China will launch Chang'e-6 to gather samples on the moon's south pole and bring them back to Earth, Wu said.
"We will decide whether it will do it on the dark side of the moon or the near side depending on the sampling situation of the Chang'e-5," Wu told reporters.
It will be followed by Chang'e-7, which will conduct a "comprehensive exploration of the moon's south pole", including its topography, material composition and space environment, he said.
Finally, the Chang'e-8 mission will test technologies and do "some preliminary exploration for countries to jointly build a lunar research base in the future", Wu said.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
HEC reviews curricula for environmental sciences degree programme
ICC Asia looking forward to an action-packed Asia Cricket Week
Yuvraj Singh named ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 Ambassador
Greece hands Olympic flame to 2024 Paris Games hosts
Two Kyiv hospitals evacuating over feared Russian strikes
World must act on neurotech revolution, say experts
Charles & Catherine's cancer diagnoses
Champions Alcaraz and Sabalenka through in Madrid Open
King Charles to resume some public duties during cancer treatment: palace
US defense chief announces $6 bn in security aid for Ukraine
Heavy rains cause damage to Spezand-Taftan railway track
Woman stabbed in Israel, attacker killed: police
More Stories From Technology
-
PITB HR Wing organizes Eid Milan celebration for children at PITB Day Care Center located in ASTP
10 hours ago -
SONY x TECNO - is this for real?
10 hours ago -
Punjab CM inaugurates Pakistan’s first Virtual Women Police Station
3 days ago -
Pro Tips: How to Capture Stunning Portraits with the Aura Light Portrait of vivo V30 5G
5 days ago -
Itel celebrates launch of S24—a new brand identity
5 days ago -
Realme C53 Price Slash: High-Tech Meets High Style at New Low Price!
6 days ago
-
Take Charge, Live Free: Empower Your Life with Infinix NOTE 40 Series
8 days ago -
PTA Undertakes Consultation with All Pakistan Network Association (APNA) on Proposed Class Value Add ..
8 days ago -
Vivo V30 5G: The Perfect Blend of Enhanced Photography and Premium Design
10 days ago -
PITB's Regional Plan 9 invites applications for its newly launched incubation centers in Rawalpindi, ..
11 days ago -
Pakistan calls for enhanced information integrity on digital platforms
11 days ago -
Infinix NOTE 40 Series vs. the Competition: Why It Stands Out
11 days ago