Lunar mission due by end of this year
(WorldNews Environment)

Chang`e 5, the next mission in China`s lunar exploration program, will demonstrate and test the country`s technological and engineering capabilities in space, according to a key figure in the project. Yu Dengyun, deputy chief designer of China`s lunar exploration program, said on Sept 20 that Chang`e 5 will be launched by a Long March 5 heavy-lift carrier rocket at the Wenchang Space Launch Center in Hainan province by the end of 2020. The 8.2-metric-ton robotic probe has four components - an orbiter, lander, ascender, and re-entry module. After the probe reaches lunar...