21 April 2018
China is drawing up plans for an aerospace engine plant that would pave the way for the mass production of “hypersonic” planes or spacecraft capable of travelling at more than five times the speed of sound, boosting the country’s competitiveness in defence, space, business and other sectors, according to scientists familiar with the project.
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23 April 2018
China officially launched the selection of its third batch of astronauts on Monday, and is expected to select about 17 to 18 trainees, including women, an official closely related to manned space announced. "The selection consists of three periods, and we will select not only males but also female candidates for the third batch of astronauts," said Yang Liwei, deputy head of the China Manned Space Agency and the nation's first astronaut.
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CCTV report...

23 April 2018
On 23 April, a call for ideas was issued to invite the general public to come up with creative approaches for the design of China's manned lunar landing and ascent vehicles.
According to Zhou Jianping, Chief Designer of China's manned space programme, the aim is to find innovative ideas for the design of the manned lunar spacecraft. Submissions should include new concepts, approaches, and technology, and will be accepted from people from all walks of life with an interest in the space programme.
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24 April 2018
The relay satellite for the Chang'e-4 lunar probe has been named "Queqiao" - magpie bridge. The name was announced by the China National Space Administration (CNSA) on China's Space Day. In a Chinese folktale, magpies form a bridge with their wings on the seventh night of the seventh month of the lunar calendar to enable Zhi Nu, the seventh daughter of the Goddess of Heaven, to cross and meet her beloved husband, separated from her by the Milky Way.
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