China has started producing Hang Nga 3 ships

THX quoted China's moon exploration project management agency as saying that the country has begun designing and manufacturing the third Lunar exploration ship, Hang Nga 3, an important part of the second step. China's three-phase Moon exploration project.

According to the State Defense Industry and Technical Department (SASTIND) China, Hang Nga 3's mission has stepped from the prototype stage to the flight-stage stage. The third probe will carry a Moon-based self-propelled device (lunar rover) and other tools for topographical survey, exploration of living conditions and space observation.

(Artwork: Whatsontianjin.com)

As planned, Hang Nga 3 will be launched in 2013. Its predecessor, Hang Nga 2, was launched in October last year.

Earlier last month, China published a full map as well as some high-resolution images of the moon captured by Hang Nga 2. These are the highest resolution images ever to the entire surface of the Moon.

Also in the statement, SASTIND said China has started to build a comprehensive high-resolution Earth observation system expected to be completed around 2020.

As one of China's 16 key scientific projects set out in the national scientific and technological development overview (2006-2020), the system will be used to provide information and support services. policy making assistance in areas such as modern agriculture, disaster prevention and mitigation and security.