Briefing: China Reveals Its Space-Based Science Plans

A rundown of the news making headlines in and around China:

Space research: China unveiled a road map Tuesday that will guide the country's plans for conducting scientific research in space, including the next stages of its headline-making lunar exploration program. The road map for 2024 to 2050 outlines China’s space science goals and priorities. They include implementing a manned lunar exploration project, constructing an international lunar research station, and launching over 30 other scientific missions in space. One main focus of the road map’s first phase, which runs through 2027, is the fourth stage of China’s lunar exploration program. In June, China’s Chang’e-6 spacecraft collected samples from the far side of the moon, the first time material has ever been retrieved from the rarely explored terrain.