Return of Xiaofei and China's space exploration
- By Sajjad Malik
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E-mail China.org.cn, November 2, 2014
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Xiaofei, the Chinese lunar orbiter test, successfully returned to Earth. |
The limitless cosmos offers unexplored riches for the world, prompting different nations to embark on costly adventures into space. My first impression of these journeys to the moon and other missions is that we are still handicapped by lack of resources and technology that are needed to spur the push for clues to hidden treasures on heavenly bodies. Most efforts are focused on the Moon, Mars and other planets and objects within the solar system, reflecting the constraints.
These exploratory missions are being undertaken separately by only a few of the world's technologically advanced nations. Some of them are also involved in secret space missions, sparking fears of espionage and the testing of unknown weapons. Others are doing it for honor, prestige or to evaluate some of their latest technologies. There is an element of rivalry attached to space missions, and only a few of these efforts are aimed at achieving some collective good.
China has run a long-term program to probe deeper into outer space. The country sent its first manned mission into space in 2003, and a few years later in 2008, one of its astronauts indulged in the luxury of a space walk. Its deep space exploration efforts have been richly rewarded so far. Apart from putting its first man in space, the country has been carrying out an extended program to land on the moon and later on Mars and other planets.
The first major achievement came in December of last year when China's Chang'e-3 mission landed on the moon surface.
The latest feat was achieved this past weekend when a Chinese lunar orbiter test referred to as Xiaofei in social media successfully returned to Earth. This is the first time since the 1970s that a country has gained the honor of returning a spacecraft from moon orbit.
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