Preliminary designs of China's lunar probe program, "Chang'e Project", have been completed and are now being turned into formal ones. Production will begin soon for components needed in this project, which was launched in February 2004.

380,000 kilometers from the earth, the moon is of rich resources and has been a relay station between humankind and deeper space. Many countries have taken lunar probe one of its important space projects. China's lunar program is divided into three stages: orbiting, landing and returning.

China plans to launch its first lunar orbiter "Chang'e I" before 2007, which will for the first time in the world carry with it microwave remote sensing devices to conduct careful and in-depth probe into the lunar surface. Before the launch, a "sky base" will be constructed at an orbit about 200 kilometers from the ground to provide supplies. It needs around 10 days, as expected, to reach the moon.

Since the successful launch of the country's first man-made earth satellite "Dongfanghong I" 35 years ago, China has scored great achievements in the field of space exploration, indicating visible improvement in the national comprehensive strength.

However, there are still major problems to be solved. The industrialization of the aeronautic sector needs more propellant.

By People's Daily Online