Latest news with #Chang'e6
South China Morning Post
3 days ago
- Science
- South China Morning Post
Mengzhou spacecraft for China's moon-landing mission passes landmark test flight
China has completed the inaugural test flight of its next-generation Mengzhou crewed spacecraft , executing a critical zero-altitude escape trial at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in the Gobi Desert. Advertisement Developed for China's 2030 lunar ambitions , the modular Mengzhou spacecraft features two variants: a near-Earth version supporting space station operations with a seven-astronaut capacity and a deep-space model for lunar missions. Its reusable return capsule and advanced technologies place it among the world's most capable crew vehicles. 01:57 China's Chang'e-6 mission returns to Earth with first samples from moon's far side China's Chang'e-6 mission returns to Earth with first samples from moon's far side At midday on Tuesday, the spacecraft's escape engines ignited while grounded at the launch complex. Within 20 seconds, the return capsule reached its designated altitude and cleanly separated from the escape tower as parachutes deployed. The capsule subsequently touched down within the predetermined landing zone using an airbag cushioning system, marking the test's success. This foundational safety verification – designed to ensure crew survive during rocket failures at lift-off – simulates emergencies in which astronauts must be rapidly extracted from danger zones during a vehicle's most vulnerable launch phase. Advertisement The achievement represents China's first such test since 1998, when a similar trial was conducted for the Shenzhou spacecraft programme.
Free Malaysia Today
19-05-2025
- Science
- Free Malaysia Today
China sets launch of asteroid probe Tianwen-2 for late May
China became the first nation to bring back samples from the moon's far side last year. (CNSA/AFP pic) BEIJING : China is preparing to launch near-Earth asteroid probe Tianwen-2 at the end of May, state-run CCTV reported today, in the country's first mission to collect samples from interplanetary space. Tianwen-2 was transported to the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre's launch area on May 14 and will take off after passing inspections, the report said. The craft will use a mechanical arm to scoop up dust samples from the surface of 2016 HO3, a small 100m asteroid that circles Earth like a 'quasi-satellite'. It will also explore 311P, a comet. Other nations including the US and Japan have successfully landed on asteroids. A space race between China and the US has led to the launch of new exploration plans in recent years. In 2024, China became the first nation to bring back samples from the moon's far side with its Chang'e-6 lunar probe. Around 2028, China's Tianwen-3 mission will attempt to bring back samples from Mars.
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
China sets launch of asteroid probe Tianwen-2 for late May, state media reports
BEIJING (Reuters) -China is preparing to launch near-Earth asteroid probe Tianwen-2 at the end of May, state-run CCTV reported on Sunday, in the country's first mission to collect samples from interplanetary space. Tianwen-2 was transported to the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre's launch area on May 14 and will take off after passing inspections, the report said. The craft will use a mechanical arm to scoop up dust samples from the surface of 2016 HO3, a small 100-m (328-ft) asteroid that circles Earth like a "quasi-satellite". It will also explore 311P, a comet. Other nations including the U.S. and Japan have successfully landed on asteroids. A space race between China and the U.S. has led to the launch of new exploration plans in recent years. In 2024, China became the first nation to bring back samples from the moon's far side with its Chang'e-6 lunar probe. Around 2028, China's Tianwen-3 mission will attempt to bring back samples from Mars.
Reuters
18-05-2025
- Science
- Reuters
China sets launch of asteroid probe Tianwen-2 for late May, state media reports
BEIJING, May 18 (Reuters) - China is preparing to launch near-Earth asteroid probe Tianwen-2 at the end of May, state-run CCTV reported on Sunday, in the country's first mission to collect samples from interplanetary space. Tianwen-2 was transported to the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre's launch area on May 14 and will take off after passing inspections, the report said. The craft will use a mechanical arm to scoop up dust samples from the surface of 2016 HO3, a small 100-m (328-ft) asteroid that circles Earth like a "quasi-satellite". It will also explore 311P, a comet. Other nations including the U.S. and Japan have successfully landed on asteroids. A space race between China and the U.S. has led to the launch of new exploration plans in recent years. In 2024, China became the first nation to bring back samples from the moon's far side with its Chang'e-6 lunar probe. Around 2028, China's Tianwen-3 mission will attempt to bring back samples from Mars.
Malay Mail
18-05-2025
- Science
- Malay Mail
China sets launch of asteroid probe Tianwen-2 for late May, state media reports
BEIJING, May 18 — China is preparing to launch near-Earth asteroid probe Tianwen-2 at the end of May, state-run CCTV reported today, in the country's first mission to collect samples from interplanetary space. Tianwen-2 was transported to the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre's launch area on May 14 and will take off after passing inspections, the report said. The craft will use a mechanical arm to scoop up dust samples from the surface of 2016 HO3, a small 100m asteroid that circles Earth like a 'quasi-satellite'. It will also explore 311P, a comet. Other nations including the US and Japan have successfully landed on asteroids. A space race between China and the US has led to the launch of new exploration plans in recent years. In 2024, China became the first nation to bring back samples from the moon's far side with its Chang'e-6 lunar probe. Around 2028, China's Tianwen-3 mission will attempt to bring back samples from Mars. — Reuters
