The space race continues: China wants to send a probe to the far side of the moon – it’s probably not just about scientific curiosity, but also about the valuable raw materials that can be found on the satellite.
China plans to send its next probe to the moon in early May. The mission, which will bring rock samples from the far side of the moon to Earth for the first time, represents a “new phase” of China’s lunar program, said a commentary in the state-run newspaper China Daily on Monday. The program, named after a moon goddess, is called “Chang’e.”
According to a report by state news agency Xinhua on Sunday, preparations for the launch are in full swing. The new lunar probe “Chang’e-6” and the launch vehicle of the type “Long March-5 Y8” were brought to the launch site of the Wenchang cosmodrome on the Chinese tropical island of Hainan. The next step would be functional tests and refueling before takeoff. This should take place at a “suitable time at the beginning of May”.
Valuable raw materials are believed to be on the moon
In preparation for the mission, the People’s Republic has already placed a communications satellite into lunar orbit. This is necessary so that the probe can maintain contact with the control center on Earth, because it is supposed to land in the south of the moon on the side facing away from Earth.
China also wants to send a manned mission to the moon by 2030. The Earth’s satellite has become interesting again for many nations because valuable raw materials are believed to be there.
Source: Stern
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