China has started the first phase of its lunar probe program
with funding of 1.4 billion yuan (about US$170 million), as
preparations got underway for a satellite to orbit the moon by
2007, a senior program official said in Beijing Friday.
Sun Laiyan, deputy director of the China National Space
Administration, said the satellite program, part of the
country's ambitious three-stage lunar project, would be followed by
the landing of an unmanned vehicle on the Moon in the second stage
by 2010 and collecting samples of lunar soil with an unmanned
vehicle by 2020.
The last two stages are still under review by scientists before
official approval, Sun told the press.
The satellite would obtain three-dimensional images of the lunar
surface, analyze the content of useful elements and materials, and
probe the depth of the lunar soil and the space environment between
the Earth and the Moon, said Sun.
On Dec. 31, 2003, he said China would use its mature space
technology and facilities in the first phase, using a Long March
III A carrier rocket to launch the satellite.
He described the satellite project as an important step toward
China's exploration of deeper space, and the Moon would provide a
good platform from which to explore.
The lunar program is also known as the Chang'e Program,
referring to a goddess who reached the Moon in an ancient Chinese
fairy tale.
(Xinhua News Agency February 14, 2004)