Get ready, space enthusiasts! 🚀 China is gearing up for two exciting lunar missions, Chang'e-7 and Chang'e-8, set to blast off in 2026 and around 2028. The China National Space Administration (CNSA) announced this stellar news on Tuesday, revealing plans that are out of this world! 🌙
Following the Chang'e-6 mission, these upcoming adventures aim to lay the groundwork for an International Lunar Research Station (ILRS). Chang'e-7 will take a deep dive into the lunar south pole's environment and resources, exploring uncharted territories of our moon's mysterious side. 🛰️
But that's not all! Chang'e-8 will be a tech pioneer, testing out in-situ resource utilization technologies. Basically, it's figuring out how to use the moon's own resources for future missions—kind of like 'living off the land' in space! 🌌
By 2035, China plans to build a basic station model on the moon, and the journey doesn't stop there. The mission unfolds in two epic phases:
Phase One: A basic station model will sprout up around the moon's south pole, conducting scientific operations within a 100-kilometer radius. Think of it as setting up a lunar base camp! 🏕️ With an integrated Earth-moon information network, various missions—both unmanned and manned—will be interconnected, fostering international cooperation and exploration like never before. 🌍
Phase Two: By 2050, the vision expands to a comprehensive lunar station network. Using the lunar orbit station as a central hub and the south pole station as its core, exploration nodes will pop up on the moon's equator and far side. Imagine a lunar network bustling with activity, supporting long-term unmanned missions and short-term visits by astronauts! 👨🚀
This ambitious plan is like something straight out of a sci-fi movie, but it's becoming reality. China's commitment to lunar exploration is opening doors (and airlocks!) to new scientific discoveries and possibly even future lunar living. 🧑🚀🌒
Stay tuned for more updates on this cosmic journey. The countdown to 2026 has begun! ⏳
Reference(s):
China to launch two more lunar station missions, first in 2026
cgtn.com
