Space & Astronomy

China to launch moon mission by end of year

By T.K. Randall
August 30, 2013

Image: Full Moon
Credit: Thom Rains / CC BY 3.0 (adapted) The mission will represent the first time China has landed a spacecraft on another world and will be the second phase of their lunar program. The probe, known as Chang'e-3, is scheduled to launch later this year from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China.

"Chang'e-3 has officially entered its launch stage, following its research and manufacture period," the space agency said in a statement. Tests of the carrier rocket and launch systems have already been successfully carried out.

"The Chang'e-3 mission makes best use of a plethora of innovative technology," said lunar program chief commander Ma Xingrui. "It is an extremely difficult mission, that carries great risk."

Source: Xinhua

Tags: China, Moon, Lunar