China launches second lunar exploration probe

[n2doc]

By Ben BlanchardPosted 2010/10/01 at 9:31 am EDT


BEIJING, Oct. 1, 2010 (Reuters) — China launched its second lunar exploration probe on Friday, boosting the country's efforts to rise as a major space power eventually capable of landing a man on the moon and perhaps one day exploring far beyond.


The Long March 3C rocket carrying China's second unmanned lunar probe, Chang'e-2, lifts off from the launch pad at the Xichang Satellite Launch Center, Sichuan Province October 1, 2010. REUTERS/Stringer


The Chang'e-2 lunar orbiter blasted off from a remote corner of the southwestern province of Sichuan a few seconds before 7 p.m. (1100 GMT), state media said, on the same day the country celebrates 61 years since the founding of Communist China.

"Chang'e-2 lays foundation for the soft-landing on the moon and further exploration of outer space," Xinhua news agency quoted head of the orbiter's design team Wu Weiren as saying.

"It (will) travel faster and closer to the moon, and it will capture clear pictures," Wu added.

more

http://www.newsdaily.com/stories/tre69023k-us-china-space/

[gtar100]

1. That's cool. I predict they will be the first to inhabit the moon.

After all, they are the ones with the money today. They have the economy based on production of labor.

I wish them the best but I also wish they would respect human rights as well.

[qazplm]

2. china has almost as many poor

as we have people total.

Thinking that will keep them occupied before they get to Moonbase Alpha anytime soon.