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Li Guoping, director of CNSA's systems engineering department, announced that China plans to launch new space exploration missions, in order to explore the polar regions of the moon.
Speaking at the World Conference on Science Literacy in Beijing this week, Mr. Guoping announced a new fourth stage of the Chinese Lunar Exploration Program, also known as Chang & # 39; e.
Chang & # 39; e, named after the goddess of the Chinese moon, is a series of robotic space missions underway CNSA.
The Chinese lunar exploration program (Chang'e) is divided into three operational phases, but will now include a fourth stage.
The fourth stage should encompass four space missions, one of which will take place by the end of the year.
The lunar probe Chang & # 39; e 4 will land on the other side of the moon by the end of 2018, said Mr. Guoping.
CNSA researchers will launch missions to the South Pole of the Moon to test samples of lunar soil and its North Pole in the hope of discovering the ice of water.
Guoping told the conference, "The Chinese government will strengthen its administration.
"An opinion will soon be issued to regulate the scientific research, production and services of space launchers.
"In the coming years, we will also introduce guidelines to promote the development of commercial space in light of the current situation and the future needs of modern commercial space flights."
Chang'e-4, which was previously planned for 2015, will be a test mission before researchers deploy Chang'e 5 next year.
Wu Zhijian, a spokesman for the State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense said: "Many revolutionary technologies are needed, including lunar orbit and re-entry at high speed on Earth, all things that China has never done before. "
Change e 5 is scheduled for 2019 to collect the returns of samples from the moon.
After the success of Chang & # 5, Lunar's Chinese exploration program will launch Chang'e 6, aboard a Long March 5 rocket in 2020, as part of a follow-up mission.
The Chinese space market has grown rapidly over the years, especially in commercial rockets, satellites and tracking technologies.
According to an annual report by the US Federal Aviation Administration NGO, global space activity has seen a 200% year-over-year increase in the number of commercial spacecraft deployed.
China has seen significant increases in space activity over the years, according to the report.
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