NASA
Despite the challenges posed worldwide by the COVID-19 pandemic, 2020 has been a bumper year when it comes to space exploration, marked by some incredible firsts and some sad farewells. It was a year of remarkable emerging technologies, a line up of ambitious new interplanetary missions, industry firsts, and the reemergence of the US in the field of human spaceflight. Most of all, 2020 saw commercial space companies coming into their own in ways that could impact space travel on a level not seen since the launch of Sputnik 1 in 1957.
Commercial Spaceflight
Arguably the biggest story in space for 2020 was the return of humans being transported to space from US soil. It wasn t just that astronauts lifted off from the US for the first time since the Space Shuttle was retired in 2011, it was also that the mission didn t feature a traditional NASA spacecraft. For the first time, in any nation, a crew was sent into orbit in a spacecraft, by a launcher, from a launch pad, watched ov
China s Chang e-5 probe lands back on Earth carrying moon rocks
China launched the Chang e-5 spacecraft on November 24 and landed a vehicle on the moon at the start of December. Researchers work around Chang e-5 lunar return capsule carrying moon samples. (Image: Reuters)
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Updated: Dec 17, 2020, 01:54 PM IST
China s Chang e-5 probe successfully touched down on Earth in the early hours of Thursday, bringing home the first samples of the moon in over 40 years. The aim was to collect lunar material to help scientists learn more about the moon s origins, formation and volcanic activity on its surface.
The spacecraft landed in Siziwang Banner in north China s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, at 1:59 AM (local time), according to the China National Space Administration (CNSA).
China's moon probe lands back on Earth, reports state media hindustantimes.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from hindustantimes.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
China moon probe lands back on Earth: Report
China moon probe lands back on Earth: Report
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Reuters / Updated: Dec 17, 2020, 11:01AM IST
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China s Chang e-5 moon probe has landed in the northern Chinese region of Inner Mongolia, the official Xinhua news agency reported, completing its return to Earth and bringing back the first lunar samples since the 1970s. The return capsule touched down in the Siziwang, or Dorbod, banner of Inner Mongolia, in the early hours of Thursday local time, Xinhua said, citing the China National Space Administration.
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The Straits Times
The lunar samples will be mainly used for scientific research.PHOTO: EPA-EFE
PublishedDec 17, 2020, 3:45 pm SGT
https://str.sg/JaDn
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