Preparations for Long March-8 Y1 launch on the way
16 December 2020
On 16 December at 8:20 BJT, the Long March-8 Y1 rocket was vertically transported to the launching area of the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Centre. Next, the rocket will be filled with propellant and readied for launch in late December. The Long March-8 rocket is a new model that is potentially reusable.
MORE...
Secondary payloads on Chang'e 5: plant seeds
16 December 2020
As the Chang'e-5 probe brings Moon samples back to Earth, Chinese scientists are expecting another package from the space trip: a variety of plant seeds that may bring bigger harvests. According to the Space Breeding Innovation Alliance, its space breeding programme was part of the lunar probe's payload. Seeds, including rice, orchids, alfalfa and oats, embarked on the round trip to the Moon on 24 November when the probe was launched.
MORE...
RELATED
Chang'e 5 completed 2nd correction manoeuvre along the Moon-Earth transfer trajectory on 16 December at 9:15 BJT
Landing site ready to receive China's Chang'e 5 lunar probe
15 December 2020
China's Chang'e 5 lunar probe, which is carrying about 2 kg of precious lunar samples, is about to reenter the Earth's atmosphere and touch down at the preset landing site at Siziwang Banner of North China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. All systems at the landing site are ready to deliver quality services to ensure the success of the last stage of the mission.
MORE...
RELATED
What happened to Chang'e 5's four sisters: Chang'e 1 to Chang'e 4?
RELATED
Before Chang'e 5 landed on Moon, researchers simulated lunar surface on Earth
Tianwen 1 progressing on its flight to Mars
15 December 2020
As of 14 December, 21:00 BJT, planetary probe Tianwen 1 has been in space for 144 days and traveled more than 360 million km on its way to Mars. By that time, the space craft was more than 100 million km away from Earth and about 12 million km away from Mars. The Mars probe will likely be about 190 million km away from Earth when it reaches the vicinity of Mars.
MORE...