Chang’e 5 took soil samples on the Moon
Chang’e 5 has landed on the surface of the Moon. China’s most ambitious lunar mission to date, is expected to retrieve two kilograms of lunar soil.
New Japanese data relay satellite JDRS-1
On November 29, a H-IIA rocket launched from the Japanese Tanegashima spaceport. The main payload was the JDRS-1 (Japanese Data Relay Satellite-1). The new Japanese data relay satellite will be used for both intelligence and civilian purposes.
Chang’e 5 entered the Moon orbit
After 112 hours of flight, the Chang’e 5 sample return spacecraft has reached the Moon. It is currently orbiting the Moon every eight hours.
Chinese Chang’e 5 probe launched towards the Moon
On November 23, the Long March 5 rocket launched from the Wenchang spaceport, lifting off the Chinese Chang’e 5 lunar probe. The mission aims to bring back two kilograms of lunar surface samples.
Covid-19 delays the Indian Gaganyaan programme
The ongoing coronavirus outbreak will delay preparations for India’s first crewed spaceflight. According to the most recent schedule the inaugural, unmanned flight of the Gaganyaan capsule will take place at the earliest at the end of 2021.
Second Israeli astronaut will fly in 2021
The second Israeli astronaut will be Eytan Stibbe, a multi-millionaire and former military pilot. In October 2021, he will fly to the International Space Station as part of the SpaceX Axiom Space-1 tourist mission.
Japanese Hayabusa 2 probe will visit new asteroids
The main mission of the Japanese Hayabusa 2 mission ends in December. The spacecraft examined asteroid Ryugu from June 2018 to November 2019. Currently, the spacecraft is on the final stage of its Earth return journey.
China launched the Haiyang 2C satellite
On Monday, September 21, a Long March 4B rocket launched from the Jiuquan spaceport. It placed the Haiyang 2C oceanographic satellite into orbit.
The first flight of a Chinese military spaceplane
In early September, China carried out its first small military spaceplane mission. The details of the uncrewed flight, which lasted less than two days, were top secret and very little information was released.
Astronaut, cosmonaut or taikonaut?
Speaking of crewed spaceflight we use different names for those taking part in them: astronaut, cosmonaut, and in recent times even taikonaut. Why is there such distinction and is it today still justified?
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