China Plans to Send Humans to the Moon by 2017 to Explore Helium-3 Resources
In preparation for this mission, China is developing a new spacecraft – Shenzhou 10. The project also involves establishing a telescope on the Moon to measure soil thickness and the amount of helium-3 present. Helium-3 is extremely rare on Earth. Just 100 tons of helium-3 can provide energy for the entire world for one year.
Helium-3 is an element that many researchers argue is a perfect, pollution-free fuel source. They believe that the reserves of helium-3 on the Moon are approximately 50 million tons, enough to power the globe for thousands of years.
China’s first satellite to orbit the Moon is expected to be launched in 2007, coinciding with the launch of the Shenzhou 7 spacecraft. This spacecraft will carry three astronauts into Earth’s orbit, allowing them to conduct spacewalks. Currently, China is also designing a new rocket capable of carrying 25 tons, significantly surpassing the current limit of 8 tons.
Recently, the United States also revealed a $104 billion plan to send humans to the Moon by 2018. The Apollo program successfully landed the first humans on the Moon in 1969.
Minh Sơn (According to Xinhua News Agency)
