China launches first moon rover mission December 2, 2013 - 09:43 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - China has launched its first mission to land a rover on the moon that will transmit images and survey the moon's surface, according to the Associated Press. The spacecraft is expected to land in mid-December. The official Xinhua News Agency said a Long March-3B rocket carrying the Chang'e 3 lander blasted off today as scheduled at 1.30am local time from the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre in south-west China. If the mission goes as planned, the Chang'e 3 will become China's first spacecraft to soft land on the surface of an extraterrestrial body. The moon rover will survey the moon's geological structure and surface substances. China's military-backed space programme is a source of enormous national pride and has powered ahead in a series of well-funded, methodically timed steps. Related links:   Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot".   Partner news |  Latest news Pashinyan’s spokesperson denies intention to visit Baku for COP29  Pashinyan’s agenda doesn’t include a trip to Baku for the COP29 conference, his press secretary Nazeli Baghdasaryan has said.Lithuania sending €100,000 to help Armenia fight floods consequences Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan took to social media to thank his Lithuanian counterpart for the contribution.Armenia: Rescue workers restore pedestrian bridge for flood-hit community Rescue workers on Wednesday, June 5 restored a pedestrian bridge in the town of Alaverdi in Armenia’s north.Turkey condemns Uruguay’s recognition of Armenian Genocide Turkey has condemned a newly passed law in Uruguay that recognizes the Armenian Genocide, TRT reports. |
