China is gearing up for an ambitious lunar project by the November of this year. What will set apart Chang'e 5 from the past lunar projects is the fact that it won't just land on Moon, but will collect samples and return back to earth for conducting scientific study on it.
It will be officially China's first ever sample return mission. The Chang'e 5's liftoff on November of this year was confirmed by state-run Xinhua news agency. However, no specific date has been decided so far for the launch.
The lift-off will take place from the Wenchang Space Launch Center in southern China's Hainan Province.
According to official broadcaster CCTV, Chang'e 5 will essentially have four important parts including an orbiter, a returner, an ascender and a lander. While orbiter and return vehicle will help Chang'e-5 in orbiting the earth, while 'lander and ascender' will aid in landing as well as collecting samples from the moon.
With this unmanned lunar exploration mission, China aims to bring at least 2 kilograms of lunar soil and rock samples back to the earth. China over the years has been very forthcoming in launching space mission to explore Moon, earth's only natural satellite. Before Chang'e 5, it had launched two more lunar missions, namely Chang'e-1 and -2.
In 2013, China also became third country to successfully land a rover on the moon's surface, joining space powers like U.S. and Russia. Named as Jade Rabbit, the rover stopped its operation in August last year.
Meanwhile, China's quest for lunar exploration won't be stopping with Chang'e 5. Several reports indicate that the country will launch the Chang'e 4 lunar probe in late 2018. It may also launch Mars probe by 2020.
The Chinese government over the years has been relentlessly pursuing its ambition to become a space superpower as it aims to join the 'elite space club' that mainly includes western countries. Many analysts claim that China is getting bold in its space ambition only to demonstrate it economic success.