Beijing-Sana
China has announced that it plans to launch the Chang'e 5 space probe to the moon by the end of this year.
"Preparations are progressing smoothly, and the probe will make a smooth landing on the moon, bring samples of it and return to Earth," Xinhua quoted Yu Deng Yun, deputy chief designer of the Chinese lunar exploration program, as saying.
He pointed out that the probe is scheduled to collect samples from the moon, take off from it, reach the meeting point, enter the lunar orbit, and return at high speed to the Earth's atmosphere, representing a major progress in the history of China's airspace.
Yu said China is conducting an extensive study to develop a space station and a manned mission to the moon, and plans to establish an unmanned lunar research station for manned landings on its surface.