SCIO briefing on white paper on China's space activities

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Speakers:
Wu Yanhua, vice head of China National Space Administration
Li Guoping, director of Department of System and Engineering, China National Space Administration

Chairperson:
Xi Yanchun, vice director-general of the Press Bureau, State Council Information Office

Date:
Dec. 27, 2016

Reuters:

Thank you for taking my question. I'm from Reuters. You've previously spoken about putting a man on the moon. Is there still a plan for this, and if so, what's the deadline?

Wu Yanhua:

The world is closely watching the exploration of the moon. There are three phases of lunar exploration in human history. The first was carried out by the United States and the Soviet Union, which culminated with the landing of American astronaut Neil Armstrong on the moon in 1969.

The second phase consisted of explorations conducted mainly by the U.S., Russia (the Soviet Union) and Europe with the aim of studying space science. China and India also carried similar missions.

Currently, lunar exploration work is in the emerging and developing stage of the third phase. Russia, Europe, China, Japan and India are all carrying out related research. The United States announced it would focus on Mars exploration, but moon-related technologies are still needed in order to go to the Mars, including the possible construction of a pit stop on the moon.

China National Space Administration has formulated plans for future lunar exploration. The last phase of the Chinese Lunar Exploration Program will be completed in 2017, namely, launching Chang'e 5, realizing soft landing on the moon, collecting lunar samples and returning them to the Earth. Currently, everything is well under way. We will also research and launch Chang'e 4, which will be the world's first probe on the far side of the moon. A relay satellite will also be launched at the Earth-moon L2 point, which will be used in relaying signals and providing service for explorations of the moon and even deep space. Additionally, we will also carry out robotic exploration of the south and north poles of the moon twice in the next five and ten years.

As to sending man to the moon, we are studying the feasibility of the related plans. Thanks for your question.

Chairperson Xi Yanchun:

Thank you all. This is the end of the press conference.

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