Sam McNeil December 17, 2020 - 2:38 AM
BEIJING - Following the successful return of moon rocks by its Changâe 5 robotic probe, China is preparing for future missions that could set the stage for an eventual lunar base to host human explorers, a top space program official said Thursday.
China s next three lunar missions are on track, along with programs for returning samples from Mars and exploring asteroids and the planet Jupiter, Deputy Chief Commander of the China Lunar Exploration Program Wu Yanhua said.
âExploring the truth of the universe is just beginning,â Wu said at a news conference held hours after the Changâe 5 s capsule parachuted to a landing in Inner Mongolia carrying the first lunar samples to be brought to Earth in more than 40 years.
Dec 17, 2020
A model of China s Chang e 5 lunar orbiter and lander are displayed before a press conference today at the State Council Information Office in Beijing. Following the successful return of moon rocks by its Chang e 5 robotic probe, China is preparing for future missions that could set the stage for an eventual  lunar base to host human explorers. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
BEIJING (AP) Following the successful return of moon rocks by its Chang’e 5 robotic probe, China is preparing for future missions that could set the stage for an eventual lunar base to host human explorers, a top space program official said today.