Nasa wanted to use China’s spacecraft to plan a new American moon mission, top Chinese scientist says
- US space scientists had asked permission to borrow China’s Chang’e 4 spacecraft and relay satellite to plan a mission to the far side of the moon
- Nasa scientists made the request at an international conference a few years ago, Wu Weiren said
The lead scientist for China’s lunar project revealed on Tuesday that US space scientists had asked permission to use China’s Chang’e 4 spacecraft and relay satellite to help them plan an American mission to the far side of the moon.
Wu Weiren, chief scientist of China’s lunar programme, said Nasa scientists made the request at an international conference a few years ago, state broadcaster CCTV reported.
The American scientists had asked China to extend the Queqiao relay satellite’s lifespan and allow an American beacon device to be placed on Chang’e 4, saying it would help the US side plan its own lunar landing strategy, Wu said.
“We asked the Americans why they wanted our relay satellite to operate longer,” Wu told CCTV. “They said, perhaps feeling a little embarrassed, that they wanted to make use of our relay satellite when they make their own mission to the far side of the moon.”
The Queqiao relay satellite played a critical role in Chang’e 4’s historic soft landing on the moon’s far side on January 3.
