Chang'e-8 will test the 3D printer technology in the hopes of assisting future lunar residents, Global Times previously learned from the CNSA

Additionally, China's first Mars mission Tianwen-1 is also running smoothly, said Wu. On Monday, the CNSA announced the probe, while in sound condition, had flown for about 360 million kilometers and was at a distance of more than 100 million kilometers away from the Earth and 12 million kilometers from Mars.

The spacecraft, launched by a Long March-5 rocket on July 23, is expected to complete orbiting, landing, and roving in one mission.