New lunar mission to test Chang'e-5 technology  

中國探月工程計劃將首次實施再入返回飛行試驗

國防科工局今天宣布，我國探月工程計劃于10月24日-26日首次實施再入返回飛行試驗。即在西昌衛星發射中心發射一顆飛行試驗器，飛抵月球附近后自動返回，以接近第二宇宙速度進入大氣層，經跳躍式彈起后，再次進入大氣層，并在內蒙古中部著陸。 [查看全文]

China will launch a new lunar mission this week to test technology likely to be used in Chang'e-5, a future lunar probe with the ability to return to Earth.

The experimental spacecraft launched this week is expected to reach a location near the moon and return to Earth, according to a source with the State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense on Wednesday.

The test model is currently in normal condition and is scheduled to launch between Friday and Sunday from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center.

The mission will involve the spacecraft entering, exiting, and re-entering the Earth's atmosphere and landing on Earth, the source said.

During this process, the spacecraft's speed will be slowed down so it can land safely at a determined location, a key capability needed for Chang'e-5, which may return from the moon at a very high speed, according to the scientists' explanation.

The Chang'e-5 probe, expected to launch in 2017, will be tasked with landing on the moon, collecting samples and returning to Earth.