National space program becomes a shining star
China made 39 orbital launches, accounting for one-third of space missions across the globe in 2018.
It marked the first time China had surpassed the United States and Russia in terms of space launches in a single year.
China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp completed 37 successful space missions, while China Aerospace Science and Industry Corp conducted one successful launch. A first launch attempt by LandSpace, a private rocket maker, failed.
The most important mission involved the unmanned Chang’e 4 spacecraft on Dec 8. The probe is scheduled to land on the far side of the moon soon and place a robotic rover in the South Pole-Aitken basin.
It will be the first time a space vehicle from any nation has landed on the far side of the moon.