China's first lunar probe crashes into the moon

02.03.2009

China plans to launch the Chang’e II probe in 2010 or 2011 and put a lunar buggy on the moon, the official China Daily newspaper said.

The probe carrying the buggy will aim to land softly on the surface of the moon using thrusters, according to the space administration.

 

China will send a probe to bring samples back from the moon in the third phase of the program around 2017.

The China Daily reports that the nation is planning for a manned lunar landing by 2020.