China’s house company stated on January 10 that its newest lunar explorer had arrived at the launch web site in preparation for a mission to the moon in the first half of this year.
State broadcaster CCTV posted pictures of the unit beneath wraps on its web site as it was unloaded from a big cargo aeroplane earlier this week after which transported by flatbed truck to the Wenchang launch web site on southern China’s Hainan island.
The announcement got here a day after a U.S. firm deserted a lunar touchdown deliberate for Feb. 23 as a result of of a gasoline leak that began quickly after takeoff on January 8.
China and the U.S. are each pursuing plans to land astronauts on the moon in what has develop into a rising rivalry in house. The U.S. plans to take action in 2026, and China’s goal date is earlier than 2030.
The China National Space Administration stated that pre-launch exams could be carried out on its Chang’e-6 probe. The mission’s objectives embody bringing again samples from the far facet of the moon.
Another U.S. moon lander from a Houston firm is because of launch next month.
Four international locations — the U.S., Russia, China and India — have landed spacecraft on the moon. Only the United States has beforehand put astronauts on the moon.
