The Chinese government first announced that it was planning to carry out moon exploration and preliminary deep space research in its White Paper on China’s Space Activities published on 11 November 2000. The July 2004 edition of the Chinese aerospace magazine ‘Hangkong Zhishi’ provided more details of China’s lunar exploration programme, including a three-step plan.
According to the report, the first stage is a moon orbiting mission by 2007, using the DFH-3 satellite platform. The lunar orbitor will map the moon surface in three dimensions, analyse the content and distribution of useful elements on the lunar surface, measure the density of lunar soil, and monitor the near-moon space environment. During the second stage, an unmanned moon rover will make a soft landing on the moon surface and examine the moon soil. In the third stage, an unmanned probe will be sent to the moon and collect samples of the moon soil, and then return them to earth.
http://www.sinodefence.com/space/satellite/moonexploration.asp
What does everyone think of this very interesting development in China's ambitions to be a true world super power. The cost alone for an orbital space program is enormous, a lunar program is even more so as the Russians and Americans have found out. Is China's space program ready for a Lunar program?
According to the report, the first stage is a moon orbiting mission by 2007, using the DFH-3 satellite platform. The lunar orbitor will map the moon surface in three dimensions, analyse the content and distribution of useful elements on the lunar surface, measure the density of lunar soil, and monitor the near-moon space environment. During the second stage, an unmanned moon rover will make a soft landing on the moon surface and examine the moon soil. In the third stage, an unmanned probe will be sent to the moon and collect samples of the moon soil, and then return them to earth.
http://www.sinodefence.com/space/satellite/moonexploration.asp
What does everyone think of this very interesting development in China's ambitions to be a true world super power. The cost alone for an orbital space program is enormous, a lunar program is even more so as the Russians and Americans have found out. Is China's space program ready for a Lunar program?