China launches survey to collect moon samples late in the year

The Chinese probe (Chang-e-4) landed on the moon on Jan. 3 and sent the first close-up image of the far side of the planet.

The National Space Administration hailed the order as the first of its kind and declared that it "removes the veil of mystery" from the other side of the moon and is a major achievement of the ambitious national space program.

The mission of the probe (Chang & # 39; e-4) includes astronomical monitoring, surface surveys and rock formation, measuring neutron radiation and neutral atoms in order to study the environment of the other side of the moon.

The probe's mission (Zhang Ah-5), which is expected to take samples near the moon, will take place at the end of the year and Beijing will send another probe to Mars, said Wu Yanhua, vice -president of the space administration, in a press release, according to official extracts online. In 2020.

The probe's mission (Zhang Ah-5) will pave the way for sending other probes to the south pole of the moon and will eventually return samples on the other side, according to the results of the next mission, Wu said.

He noted that future tests by the missions could pave the way for building on the surface of the planet through the experience of techniques such as three-dimensional printing or the use of new techniques. use of lunar soil in construction.

"China, the United States, Russia, European countries and others are looking to build a base or research station on the moon," he said.

The Moon revolves around the Earth at the same speed as the Earth, which means that most of its far side or dark side is always invisible to us. The probe has already explored the outside of the planet but has not landed on it.

China has made space exploration a priority in recent years by catching up with Russia and the United States to become a major space power by 2030. It plans to start building an inhabited space station in China. 39 next year.