China plans to land rover on Moon by end of year
AUG 29, 2013
DOI: 10.1063/PT.5.027305
New York Times : China launched its first mission to the Moon in 2007, when it sent a spacecraft to orbit the body. A second mission in 2010 also orbited the Moon before heading farther into the solar system. Now, Ma Xingrui, head of China’s lunar exploration program, has revealed that the nation plans to land a rover on the Moon by the end of the year and eventually to launch a manned mission. Earlier this year, China sent three astronauts on a 15-day mission to practice docking maneuvers and other skills necessary for maintaining a space station. The country views a permanent presence in space as a key sign of its global power.
© 2013 American Institute of Physics
