By 
April 26th, 2022
Credit: CCTV/Inside Outer Space screengrab
China will start engineering development of the fourth phase of its lunar exploration program this year, according to a senior official of the China National Space Administration (CNSA), as reported by the state-run Xinhua News Agency.
The Chang’e-6, Chang’e-7 and Chang’e-8 lunar probes will be launched successively, and the country will endeavor to make breakthroughs in key technologies and build an international lunar research station, Wu Yanhua, CNSA’s deputy director, told an online launch ceremony for the 2022 Space Day of China on Sunday.
Wu said the Chang’e-6 will take samples from the far side of the Moon.
Furthermore, China is planning to set up a satellite constellation around the moon to provide communication and navigation services.
Artist’s view of China/Russia International Lunar Research Station to be completed by 2035. Credit: CNSA/Roscosmos
Moon research station
The main goal of the fourth phase is to carry out scientific exploration on the Moon’s south pole and set up a fundamental type of lunar scientific research station.
The fourth phase will be carried out in three steps, with the Chang’e-6, Chang’e-7 and Chang’e-8 probes being launched before 2030.
Go to this video that spotlights the next set of Chinese Moon probes at:
Also, go to this video that details China’s Chang’e and Yutu lunar machinery at:
Posted in Space News
