12-30-2011 • www.ft.com
While Chinese scientists have previously discussed the possibility of a manned lunar mission, a government white paper published on Thursday is the first public government document to enshrine it as a policy goal.
China will “conduct studies on the preliminary plan for a human lunar landing”, the white paper said.
Although a manned moon mission is still some time off – Chinese
experts say after 2020 – the statement highlights Beijing’s soaring
ambitions just five months after the US retired its space shuttle programme
. “Chinese people are the same as people around the world,” Zhang Wei,
an official with China’s National Space Administration, said at a
briefing. “When looking up at the starry sky, we are full of longing and
yearning for the vast universe.”
According to the white paper, which serves as a blueprint for the next five years, China will develop new satellites, accelerate efforts to build a space station and strengthen its research in space. Laying the foundation for a mission to the moon, the government also plans to launch unmanned lunar probes and make “new technological breakthroughs” in human space flights by 2016.
Read Full StoryAccording to the white paper, which serves as a blueprint for the next five years, China will develop new satellites, accelerate efforts to build a space station and strengthen its research in space. Laying the foundation for a mission to the moon, the government also plans to launch unmanned lunar probes and make “new technological breakthroughs” in human space flights by 2016.
Reported by Donna Hancock
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