Astronaut could walk on moon by 2025
- Source: The Global Times
- [07:33 May 25 2009]
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Scientists are considering the feasibility of launching a manned lunar landing mission between 2025 and 2030, a key figure within China’s space exploration program said Friday.
Speaking at a science lecture in Shanghai, Ye Peijian, chief designer of the lunar probe for the Chang’e project, said that by 2017, an unmanned lunar probe will be capable of fetching samples from the moon.
“Through the development of lunar probes, we have made good progress in our ability to explore space,” China News Service quoted him as saying.
China successfully sent the Chang’e I probe into lunar orbit in 2007. In January of last year, it transmitted pictures of the moon’s surface back to Earth.
The probe ended its mission on March 1 this year, bringing the first phase of a three-stage lunar mission to an end.
The second phase will involve research and preparatory work for the launch of a lunar rover vehicle, and the launch itself, Ye said.
The Chang’e II probe will be launched next year and will conduct research in preparation for a soft landing by Chang’e III, he said.
“Both landing craft and the rover vehicle will be sent to the moon before 2013,” he said.
The rover will leave Chang’e III and work on the moon for three months. The third phase of the mission, scheduled for 2017, will involve a spacecraft collecting samples, Ye said.