China is expected to launch its first ever lunar probe satellite
in 2007, given that the country's Moon exploration project has so
far been proceeding smoothly, according to the China Aerospace
Science and Technology Corporation (CASC).
Addressing a forum on space technology in Beijing Tuesday, Ye
Peijian, chief designer of the satellite with the CASC, said that
dubbed "Chang'e-I," China's first lunar orbiter is scheduled to be
launched in 2007 for the country's first fly-by mission.
"The design of various plans?that serve to meet different
situations and simulation satellites is complete and all related
professional experiments are proceeding," Ye said.
The research and development work of real-use satellites will
begin in September, he said, noting that one to two real-use ones
will be developed.
"After the lunar flight, China will carry out soft landing
exploration and auto inspection missions on the Moon, with the core
part being the realization of landing probes on the Moon's surface
and scientific exploration," Ye said.
"A basic space flight engineering system, including that for
soft landing probes and surface inspectors, should then be
established,"?he added.
According to Ouyang Ziyuan, chief scientist of the Moon probe
project, China will carry out various projects on materials,
dynamics, radiation and?astronomy among others.
To date, China has developed some demonstration probes for the
coming Moon flight, armed with various apparatuses like a
Moon-probing radar and infrared spectrum equipment.
(Xinhua News Agency August 10, 2005)