China successfully tested unmanned docking on the lunar orbit this week to determine whether key technology planned to be used in its Chang'e-5 mission to the Moon was working, according to the State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense (SASTIND).
China's lunar exploration program, named after the Chinese moon goddess Chang'e, is currently in its second phase. The first one ended after two Chang'e probes were launched in 2007 and 2010.
The program entered its second phase with the launch of Chang'e-3 in 2013. As part of that mission, China landed a probe and an unmanned lunar rover Yutu, also known as Jade Rabbit, on the surface of the Moon. In November 2014, China successfully completed a return lunar mission.
The Chang'e-5 probe, set to be launched in 2017, is expected to land on the Moon, collect 4 lbs. of samples and return back to Earth.
Source: Sputnik News
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