19 March 2021
Namrata Goswami analyses for The Diplomat the consequences of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the joint construction of an autonomous lunar permanent research base, signed by CNSA and Roscosmos. She argues: "China and Russia’s lunar base MoU has changed the alignment structures around space cooperation and sends a clear signal to the United States and the seven other Artemis Accords partners that space is contested. China and Russia are offering avenues for alternate partnership, especially to encourage countries like Saudi Arabia and Turkey to join, both of whom have aspirations to develop their space sector."
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19 March 2021
Scientists from Saudi Arabia will fly a solar cell experiment on board the Chinese Space Station. The research is the outcome of the CNSA-UNOOSA Announcement of Opportunities on board the CSS. Saudi Arabia wants to test how cosmic radiation is effecting the efficiency of solar cells which can be utilised on satellites. The aim is to develop long-lasting solar cells of high efficiency which can bring down the cost of space missions.
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18 March 2021
A new interactive technological exhibition about China's manned space programme was opened in the China Science and Technology Museum in Beijing on 18 March. Co-hosted by the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST) and the China Manned Space Engineering Office, the Fly to Space exhibition celebrates the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China and allows visitors to experience the excitement of spaceflight. It has displays on the work of astronauts, plus themed exhibits on a time tunnel and living in space. Interactive technologies, including virtual reality and 3D displays, allow visitors to understand the development of the country's manned space programme, experience the selection and training of astronauts and learn about the launch of a spacecraft and life in orbit.
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19 March 2021
After a 88-day flight during its extended mission, the Chang'e 5 orbiter has successfully entered the L1 Sun-Earth Lagrange Point, the Beijing Aerospace Control Centre (BACC) announced and added that it is also China's first spacecraft to enter the Sun-Earth L1 Point. BACC said on 18 March that the orbiter is 936,700 km from the Earth and working normally with stable attitude and balanced power. On the way to Sun-Earth L1, BACC conducted two orbital maneuvers and two midway corrections.
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