The Chang'e 4 (CE-4) Lander and Lunar rover Yutu 2’s (Jade Rabbit 2) probes are receiving new data, according to Wu Weiren, the chief designer of the Chinese lunar probe project currently attending the 2nd Session of the 13th National Committee of the CPPCC.

“The designed life span of CE-4 and Jade Rabbit 2 are half a year and three months respectively. However, from the current state, the real working time is expected to be longer,” said Prof. Wu. According to Prof. Wu, every piece of data obtained by scientific exploration on the far side of the moon is the first data obtained by human beings and therefore has important scientific research value.

By the end of 2019, China is expected to take back lunar samples, becoming only the third country to bring moon soil back to Earth after the United States and the Soviet Union. The first Mars probe will then be launched in 2020 to do patrol detection. Meanwhile, Chinese researchers are still undertaking studies to formulate future solar system exploration plans.

“Space exploration is a common cause of mankind. We will gradually open up our scientific data to the whole world to make contributions to the peaceful use of space by human beings. I hope that more countries will jointly participate in space exploration programs in the future," noted Prof. Wu.