China makes a new breakthrough in space exploration

Photo by: CNN.com

Photo by: CNN.com

68

1

State media announced,”China has successfully landed a rover on the far side of the moon.” A huge breakthrough for the nation as it attempts to position itself at the top of space exploration.

They’re also aiming to have a fully operational permanent space station by 2022, as the future of the International Space Station remains in doubt due to uncertain funding and complicated politics.

The United States’ NASA is hoping to also have a fully functional space station, but due to recent years, they’ve had budgetary problems. Although, they have had recent successes, mainly including the Mars rover launch that is set to land in 2020.

The rover, weighing 300 pounds, rolled off a ramp on the lander at 10:22 p.m. Beijing time, laying deep tracks on the moon’s surface. The rover is now programmed to roam across a barren vista toward a distinct crater.