China to explore 'dark side' of the moon

By Shen Lu and Katie Hunt, CNN

Updated 1457 GMT (2257 HKT) May 21, 2015

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A rocket carrying the Jade Rabbit -- China's first lunar rover -- blasts off from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in the southwest province of Sichuan, China, on December 2, 2013.
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China's space accomplishments – A rocket carrying the Jade Rabbit -- China's first lunar rover -- blasts off from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in the southwest province of Sichuan, China, on December 2, 2013.
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The Jade Rabbit was declared a success but suffered from technological problems.
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China's space accomplishments – The Jade Rabbit was declared a success but suffered from technological problems.
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Astronauts wave after getting out from the return capsule of the Shenzhou-10 spacecraft after completing China's longest manned space mission on June 26, 2013.
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China's space accomplishments – Astronauts wave after getting out from the return capsule of the Shenzhou-10 spacecraft after completing China's longest manned space mission on June 26, 2013.
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The 15-day mission included the first manual docking with the Tiangong space module in a major step towards Beijing's goal of building a permanent space station by 2020.
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China's space accomplishments – The 15-day mission included the first manual docking with the Tiangong space module in a major step towards Beijing's goal of building a permanent space station by 2020.
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A girl in a school in Beijing asks Chinese female astrounaut Wang Yaping questions as Wang delivers a lesson to students from Tiangong-1 space module on June 20, 2013.
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China's space accomplishments – A girl in a school in Beijing asks Chinese female astrounaut Wang Yaping questions as Wang delivers a lesson to students from Tiangong-1 space module on June 20, 2013.
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Three Chinese astronauts in the Shenzhou-9 spacecraft prepare for docking with the Tiangong-1 module on July 18, 2012.
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China's space accomplishments – Three Chinese astronauts in the Shenzhou-9 spacecraft prepare for docking with the Tiangong-1 module on July 18, 2012.
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China's first female astronaut, 33-year-old Liu Yang waves as she emerges from the return capsule of the Shenzhou-9 spacecraft on June 29, 2012.<br />
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China's space accomplishments – China's first female astronaut, 33-year-old Liu Yang waves as she emerges from the return capsule of the Shenzhou-9 spacecraft on June 29, 2012.
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The rocket carrying China's first space laboratory module, Tiangong-1, lifts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center on September 29, 2011
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China's space accomplishments – The rocket carrying China's first space laboratory module, Tiangong-1, lifts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center on September 29, 2011
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China's third manned space mission in September 2008 included its first space walk. <br />
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China's space accomplishments – China's third manned space mission in September 2008 included its first space walk.
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