Cover News:

We have learned that China has approved the fourth phase of its lunar exploration program, including the Chang'e-6, Chang'e-7, and Chang'e-8 missions. These three missions will be launched over the next ten years. Could you brief us on the specific arrangements? How important are these missions? Thank you.

Liu Jizhong:

Thank you. China's lunar exploration program was first launched in 2004. As of 2020, when Chang'e-5 brought lunar samples back to Earth, we have completed the first three phases of the program, which were "orbiting, landing, and returning." Based on scientific principles, we have kicked off the research work on the follow-up missions of the lunar exploration program during the 13th Five-Year Plan period (2016-2020). The fourth phase consists of four missions as planned.

The first mission was the Chang'e-4 probe, which, as we know, landed on the far side of the moon and was successfully completed. There will be another three follow-up missions. The Chang'e-6 lunar probe is expected to collect samples in more valuable areas of the moon and return home. Therefore, new lunar soil and samples will be brought back to the Earth. The Chang'e-7 probe is expected to conduct scientific exploration in the moon's polar regions and give us data on the water distribution of the moon. Finally, the Chang'e-8 probe will continue to explore the polar regions and test core technologies concerning the follow-up work of the research station.

Our fundamental goal throughout the four phases of the lunar exploration program is to establish a basic model for the research station and lay the foundation for us to cooperate with other countries in establishing the ILRS. We have been in close contact with our peers around the world and will jointly conduct exploration work regarding these missions. For example, a deal agreed with Russia means that the Chang'e-7 mission will conduct joint exploration with Russia's "lunar-26" project. Based on our current R&D progress, all work involved in the Chang'e-6 and Chang'e-7 missions will be completed in 2025. The R&D of the Chang'e-8 mission will kick off in the same year, and the probe will be launched by 2030. To conclude, we are set to achieve the expected results of the fourth phase of the lunar exploration program by 2030. Thank you.