China sets sights on new deep space exploration mission

Tianwen-3 and Tianwen-4 mission to be launched in 2030 to collect Martian samples and t explore Jovian system

BEIJING:

China is scheduled to launch the Tianwen-2 mission around 2025 for asteroid exploration, the Tianwen-3 mission around 2030 to collect Martian samples and the Tianwen-4 mission also around 2030 to explore the Jovian system.

Previously, Chinese probe carrying samples from the far side of the Moon returned to Earth on June 25, state media reported, capping a technically complex 53-day mission heralded as a world first.

Chinese researchers have for the first time discovered natural few-layer graphene in the lunar soil samples brought back by the Chang'e-5 mission, following observation and analysis of the samples.

 The Chang'e-6 lunar probe was launched at an appropriate time at the beginning of May, according to the China National Space Administration (CNSA).

The combination of the Chang'e-6 lunar probe and the Long March-5 Y8 carrier rocket was transferred vertically to the launching area at the Wenchang Space Launch Center in south China's Hainan Province, the CNSA said.