Beijing: China will
launch a moon-landing craft next year as part of its third lunar exploration
programme, an official said on Monday.
Chang'e-3 has "legs" to support the spacecraft in
landing, said Ye Peijian, chief commander of the project at the China Academy
of Space Technology.
"The orbiter will carry a lunar rover and other instruments
for surveys, assessment of living conditions and space
observations", Ye
said.
The 100-kg lunar rover, China's first such device, is
designed to operate on the moon for three months, China Daily reported.
"It is capable of avoiding large craters and climbing
through smaller ones", said Ye, a member of China's top political advisory
body.
The advanced recognition and navigation system, and a
telecommunications system in the spacecraft will allow the scientists to
control the rover from Earth.
Ye said the rover will have to endure prolonged lunar night
and temperatures below minus 170 degrees Celsius.
To solve the problem, he said scientists have designed solar
wings that can stretch out to collect sunlight in the daytime and shield the
equipment at night.
China launched the Chang'e-1 in 2007 and the Chang'e-2
2010.
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