Chinese moon mission is one 'small step' on its way to Mars

Brussels, May 2002

China unveils its plan to launch manned space missions in 2005, culminating in a moon landing by 2010 and the eventual creation of a moon base station.

Could Mars be next?

Ouyang Ziyuan, a scientist at the Chinese Academy of Sciences and chief scientist of China's moon exploration programme, said at the opening ceremony of 2002 China Science-Technology Week that China is definitely capable of lunar exploration, "in theory". "China is expected to complete its first exploration of the moon in 2010 and will establish a base on the moon as we did in the South Pole and the North Pole," he confirmed.

But, despite numerous spacecraft launchings (the most recent being the 'Shenzhou III' in March), China has yet to send a manned craft into space. Achieving this may seem a small step for mankind, but it is an important one for China. Chinese media reports in April claim scientists are developing a new family of rockets which could transport astronauts to Mars. While most Chinese scientists admit that a Mars mission is still a distant prospect, some have argued that the relevant technologies might as well be developed now.

China's lunar exploration programme begins with the launching of a satellite which will orbit the moon in search of minerals and reserves - such as iron, titanium and water (ice) - while examining the surface condition and landforms for possible settlement. According to a Chinese daily, China's long-term aim is to set up a base on the moon to tap into its rich resources. Before this it needs to send manned flights in order to build a space laboratory and station to potentially connect with international space stations.

Contact: research@cec.eu.int

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