China’s long march into space ----------------------------------- If the unmanned probe Chang’e-5 returns safely to Earth, it will make China only the third country to retrieve samples from the moon and will bring its crewed missions a step closer ----------------------------------- 1964: China launches and recovers rocket carrying mice 1999: Successfully launches Shenzhou-1, China’s first unmanned spacecraft 2003: China becomes third country after U.S. and Russia to send a man into space when Yang Liwei orbits Earth in Shenzhou-5 spacecraft 2007: First lunar orbiter, Chang’e-1, goes round moon 2008: Zhai Zhigang successfully completes China’s first space walk 2011: China launches Tiangong-1 module – first step towards building space station Yutu, or Jade Rabbit rover 2013: China lands Chang’e-3 lander and rover Yutu on moon – first such “soft-landing” since 1976 2019: Chang’e-4 becomes first probe from any nation to touch down on far side of moon Jul 2020: China launches Tianwen-1 spacecraft to Mars in first independent mission to another planet Dec 2020: Chang’e-5 spacecraft intends to become first mission since 1976 to bring home lunar samples Chang’e-5 mission launch, Nov 23, 2020 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2011 2010 ----------------------------------- Sources: NASA, China National Space Administration (CNSA) Pictures: AP © GRAPHIC NEWS