“As our nation’s mostly complex and technically groundbreaking space mission, Chang’e 5 has achieved multiple technical breakthroughs … and represents a landmark achievement,” it said. Chinese leader Xi Jinping, in a statement read out at the Beijing Aerospace Control Center, called it a major achievement that marked a great step forward for China’s space industry. It marked China’s third successful lunar landing but the only one to lift off again from the moon. The moon has been a particular focus of the Chinese space program, which says it plans to land humans there and possibly construct a permanent base. In July, it launched the Tianwen 1 probe, which was carrying a lander and a robot rover to search for water.

Source: Manila Times December 17, 2020 05:26 UTC