Chief Designer for the China lunar exploration program, Wu Weiran, spoke to the press on Feb. 6 regarding the schedules of the three remaining unmanned missions to the Moon—Chang’e-6, -7, and -8. These are needed to do more extensive exploration, surveying, and resources mapping before the first crew lands at the proposed International Lunar Research Station (ILRS), currently planned for “around 2030.” The campaign is considered the fourth phase of China’s lunar exploration program. The first was orbiting the Moon—Chang’e-1 and 2; second, landing Chang’e-3 and 4; and, last, Chang’5, returning from the Moon (with soil samples).
Wu briefly discussed the focus of each of the three robotic missions, which is the south polar region on the far side of the Moon. The fact that he included launch dates indicates that China is confident on meeting the timeline. This would include trying to solve, or at least make progress, on some of the problems encountered by the Apollo astronauts.
