In 2021, China's aerospace achievements have attracted worldwide attention: the Chinese space station has begun to build the curtain, Zhu Rong Mars rover has completed the Mars inspection and exploration, Chang'e 5 lunar soil samples have achieved a series of achievements, and the number of space launches has exceeded 50 times, setting a new record high.
Recently, Wu Yanhua, deputy director of the China National Space Administration, said in an exclusive interview with a reporter from the General Station that the state has approved the 4th phase mission of the lunar exploration project, and China's aerospace industry is opening a new journey of interstellar exploration step by step.
The fourth phase of the lunar exploration opens a new journey of interstellar exploration
Phase IV of China's lunar exploration project includes the Chang'e-6, Chang'e-7 and Chang'e-8 missions, which will be implemented over the next decade.
According to the plan, the Chang'e-7 probe will be launched first to the south pole of the moon. Since Chang'e-6 is a backup of Chang'e-5 and has the function of return, it will be launched after Chang'e-7 to sample the return of the moon's south pole. Chang'e-6 will be followed by the launch of Chang'e-8 to establish the basic type of lunar research station.
Wu Yanhua, deputy director of the China National Space Administration: The main purpose of these three missions is to take the lead of China, and we are also ready to join forces with Russia to build a basic type of lunar research station to better explore the environment and resources of the moon, including how to peacefully use and develop lunar resources, and we lay a solid foundation.
Wu Yanhua said that openness and cooperation is an important way to get closer to the center of the world space stage. At present, China has signed nearly 160 cooperation agreements with nearly 60 countries and international organizations, which have created conditions for China's aerospace industry to go out and lead the implementation of big science plans and big science projects in the field of the moon and deep space.
Wu Yanhua, Deputy Director of the China National Space Administration: Like the first Mars exploration mission that has been implemented, which is the pioneering work of China's interplanetary exploration, then the subsequent mission is still very long-term, and I think this is a cause that all mankind may have to fight for in the next few hundred years and thousands of years.
Explore asteroids next
Wu Yanhua, deputy director of the China National Space Administration, also said that the successful implementation of Tianwen-1 has opened the prelude to China's interstellar exploration. In the future, a series of new space programs such as asteroid exploration, Mars sample return, and Jupiter exploration have been launched.
Wu Yanhua, deputy director of the China National Space Administration: The state has approved the planetary exploration project, which includes the first Mars exploration mission of Tianwen-1, and also includes the next asteroid exploration, attached landing, including such a detection mission that is returned from sampling. Third, we will carry out a sample return to Mars. The fourth mission is the detection of Jupiter galaxies, as well as some explorations through the universe.
Wu Yanhua said that the planetary exploration project is planned to be completed in the next 10 to 15 years. In addition, at present, China is still carrying out the demonstration of long-term strategic planning in spaceflight, such as the exploration of the margin of the solar system.
Wu Yanhua, deputy director of the China National Space Administration: For example, whether we want to explore the margin of the solar system and other tasks, because there are eight planets in the solar system, we do not want to simply repeat, each mission of China must have new goals, have new significance, and strive for new major scientific discoveries. In some of our future deep space missions of lunar exploration and planetary exploration, we welcome cooperation among interested scientific institutions and scientists.