Neptune ideal destination for exploration, expert says

A top Chinese space scientist has called for accelerated planning, research and development for the nation's future interplanetary exploration, particularly for a Neptune mission.

In an article in the latest issue of the academic journal Chinese Space Science and Technology, Yang Mengfei, a senior scientist at the China Academy of Space Technology in Beijing, suggested that China should speed up the overall planning for the country's interplanetary programs after 2030, so that it can achieve technological leaps and take the lead in the popular wave of interplanetary adventures among all spacefaring parties.

According to Yang, who is also an academician of the International Academy of Astronautics and the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese space authorities could consider Neptune as an ideal destination for the nation's long-term deep-space exploration endeavors.