The launch of the rocket yesterday is the latest and perhaps most spectacular aspect of the country's attempts to overtake the US in the new space race. It already has a crew on its own space station, and aims to land humans on the moon by 2030. But first it must head there with landers - three of which are planned to be sent there over the next four years.
The rocket carrying the Chang'e-6 lunar probe - named after the Chinese mythical moon goddess - lifted off yesterday at 5.27pm as planned from the Wenchang launch centre in the island province of Hainan. About 35 minutes later it separated entirely from the rocket that had slung it into space - the massive Long March 5, which is China's largest - as technicians monitoring the launch from ground control smiled and applauded.
Shortly afterwards, launch mission commander Zhang Zuosheng took to a podium at the front of the room and said that the launch had gone off exactly as planned and the spacecraft was on its set trajectory. "I declare this launch mission a complete success," Zhang said, to further applause.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة May 04, 2024 من The Independent.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 8500 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة May 04, 2024 من The Independent.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 8500 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
Is Nadal in Paris the most dominant athlete in history?
Few athletes receive the honour of having a statue built for them at the end of their careers.
Klopp leaves an overflowing in-tray for Slot at Liverpool
Jurgen Klopp offered one last example of his skills as a motivator. He has proved time and again he can galvanise 11 people.
Rashford axed as Southgate calls up new faces to squad
Five uncapped players in frame for England's Euros bid
Pochettino leaves Chelsea after one season in charge
Mauricio Pochettino left Chelsea yesterday, just two days after the end of his first season in charge of the southwest London club.
Used car sales app Cazoo calls in the administrators
Online car seller Cazoo has gone into administration, three years after it listed on the New York Stock Exchange with a valuation of £5bn ($6.3bn).
Costner's new epic proves he is Hollywood's outlaw
The first part of a four-film saga by the 'Dances with Wolves' star isn't going down well at Cannes, but his recent TV series shows we can't underestimate his appeal, says Louis Chilton
No plot, all atmosphere...meet the 21st-century novel
Yael van der Wouden's hyped debut 'The Safekeep' has been compared to Patricia Highsmith and Sarah Waters. But the lack of narrative thrust is a problem, says Robert McCrum
Dreams have no deadlines
As a 90-year-old astronaut blasts into space and a man in his sixties becomes a modelling sensation, Helen Coffey finds that living life to its fullest is not just for young people
Are airfares rising or not?
Q I’m extremely confused. My experience as a frequent holidaymaker is that prices are rising inexorably. But now Ryanair is saying it doesn’t expect airfares to go up much, if at all. What’s your take?
'Nature is unfair, but it does offer some great remedies'
Taking over from the rakish Jeffrey Bernard, Jeremy Clarke wrote the Low Life column in 'The Spectator' for 20 years until his death from cancer in 2023. His witty account of his battle with the disease, The Final Years, is extracted here