China celebrates Space Day and plans Mars voyage

Insight

China celebrates Space Day and plans Mars voyage

China recently celebrated its first Space Day marked by a flag-raising ceremony in Beijing. Space Day marks the launch of the country’s first man-made satellite 46 years ago.

On April 24th 1970, China launched its first man-made satellite, the Dongfanghong-1. 

Now China has revealed plans to explore Mars and build its own space station.  Among China’s major space projects is a new generation of launch vehicles.
The first take-off is expected in just a few months. CCTV’s Ning Hong reports.

China is producing a new generation of large launch vehicles. It’s hoped the Long March 5, which is under development, will support China’s aerospace exploration for the next 20 to 30 years. It will make its first official launch this year.

The Long March-5 is five meters (16 feet) in diameter and is designed for China’s space station missions and also the exploration of the Moon or even Mars.

The Long March-5 is a series of rockets that have two kinds of propellers and three models. The process of design, construction and testing of the rocket, including the launch, if successful, will be a world class breakthrough for China’s launch vehicle technology.

China has developed 14 models of rockets; they are all in service now. 

This year is the 60th anniversary of the establishment of China’s aerospace industry. It is also a crucial year for the country’s space missions. China’s lunar explorations are in their third phase and they will bring rock samples back to earth using the Chang’e Five lunar probe.
China has also set a goal to launch its first Mars probe in 2020.


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