Energy News  
China plans to launch first moon orbiter on Wednesday

by Staff Writers
Beijing (AFP) Oct 22, 2007
China, which plans one day to send a human to the moon, said it expected to launch its first lunar orbiter on Wednesday, state media reported, quoting the country's space agency.

The launch of the Chang'e I rocket and orbiter will likely take place on Wednesday at 6:00 pm (1000 GMT) from the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre in southwestern Sichuan province, the official Xinhua news agency reported.

The launch of the moon orbiter is part of a three-step lunar exploration programme China hopes will eventually see moon samples brought back to Earth.

The probe will be followed by robotic missions and, eventually, a lunar base to allow astronauts to live longer on the moon and utilise its resources.

China successfully launched astronaut Yang Liwei into orbit in 2003, becoming the third country after the former Soviet Union and the United States to put a man in space.

China has offered 2,000 tickets to the public to view the launch.

Community
Email This Article
Comment On This Article

Related Links
The Chinese Space Program - News, Policy and Technology
China News from SinoDaily.com



Memory Foam Mattress Review
Newsletters :: SpaceDaily :: SpaceWar :: TerraDaily :: Energy Daily
XML Feeds :: Space News :: Earth News :: War News :: Solar Energy News


China Plans Ambitious Space Program Over Decade Ahead
Beijing, China (XNA) Oct 19, 2007
China plans to realize space-walking, spacecraft rendezvous and docking and set up a space laboratory, according to a blueprint approved by the State Council. Meanwhile, the government would also give priority to developing a satellite, aircraft and stratosphere airship-based high definition earth observation system, said a senior official with the Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defence.







The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright Space.TV Corporation. AFP and UPI Wire Stories are copyright Agence France-Presse and United Press International. ESA Portal Reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space.TV Corp on any Web page published or hosted by Space.TV Corp. Privacy Statement