China plans to launch Chang'e 5 in 2017 - Xinhua

BEIJING, Dec. 16 (Xinhua) -- China plans to launch lunar probe Chang'e 5 in 2017, according to the State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense.

The development of Chang'e 5 is proceeding smoothly, said the administration's spokesman Wu Zhijian at a press conference on Monday.

The just-concluded Chang'e 3 mission marked completion of the second phase of the country's lunar program, which includes orbiting, landing and returning to Earth.

The lunar program will enter the next stage of unmanned sampling and returning, which will include Chang'e 5 and 6 missions, according to Wu.

BEIJING, Dec. 16 (Xinhua) -- China expects to gain a scientific understanding of the moon and develop its space technologies through its lunar program, a spokesman said in Beijing on Monday. Full sotry

Deep space monitoring station abroad imperative: Chinese scientist

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Commentary: Chang'e-3's soft landing marks China's hard success

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Lunar mission: craft to conduct re-entry tests before 2015

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Chinese probe reaches record height in space travel

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Lunar probe, space exploration is China's duty to mankind

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China calls for int'l cooperation in manned space program

BEIJING, June 26 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese astronaut research and training official Wednesday called for international cooperation to promote the development of manned space technologies.Full story