|
| China May Launch Mars Probe Independently in 2013 |
| 2009-09-27 |
China will probably launch Mars probing independently in 2013, said Ye Peijian, chief commander and designer of China's first lunar explorer - the Chang'e 1, which was launched in 2007.
Successful launch of Chang'e-1 reveals that China has the ability to undergo independent Mars probing, according to Ye.
"Chang'e-1 has the basic capability to travel to Mars, which is 100 times farther from us than the moon," said Ye, "considering China's current space technology, it is entirely possible to carry out Mars exploration."
Mars will be at the most suitable distance to the earth according to Ye, which will be the best moment for launching the probe in five years. If missed, China will have to wait until 2016 for the next chance.
The cost of the independent Mars probing program will be less than that of Chang'e-1, which is 14 hundred million, Ye estimated. |
|
