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Everything is proceeding as planned, says China

XICHANG (Sichuan): China launched its first lunar probe on Wednesday, the first step in its ambitious three-stage moon mission, marking a new milestone in the country’s space exploration history.

The circumlunar satellite Chang’e-1 blasted off on a Long March3A carrier rocket at 6:05 p.m. (10:05 GMT) from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center of southwestern Sichuan Province.

Hundreds of domestic reporters and space experts from Japan, Germany, Italy and other countries invited by the space authorities witnessed the historic moment.

“The launch was very successful, and everything is proceeding just as planned,” said Wu Ji, director of the Space Science and Applied Research Center under the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS).

Chang’e-1 separated from the carrier rocket at 6:29 p.m. and entered into a 16-hour orbit at 205 km perigee and 50,930 km apogee, according to the Beijing Aerospace Control Center (BACC).

It flew over the Chilean sky at around 6:50 p.m. and began to use solar energy for power supply after its solar panel was unfolded under the observation of the Chilean Center for Space Studies (CEE).

It is the first time for China to improve space mission monitoring coverage through international networks.

Another three observation stations of the European Space Agency also provide support for the project.

The launch “marks another milestone in China’s aerospace programme following the launch of man-made satellite and manned space missions,” said Vice-Premier Zeng Peiyan at the Xichang launch centre.

Mr. Zeng conveyed President Hu Jintao’s congratulations to the scientists, technicians and army officers who have been working on the research, development and experiment of the lunar probe project.

Chang’e-1 is so far the most sophisticated satellite China has ever built.

The satellite will relay the first picture of the moon in late November and will continue scientific explorations of the moon for a year.

It will carry out a series of projects including acquiring 3-D images and analysing the distribution of elements on the moon’s surface.

Ouyang Ziyuan, chief scientist of the programme, said the project only cost 1 to 1.4 billion yuan (about $133 to 187 million).

China will not embark on any lunar probe competition “in any form with any country” and will adhere to a policy of peaceful use of space, said the chief commander of the mission.

“The decision on the lunar probe was made completely in accordance with China’s own conditions, which is not meant to be compared with others,” said chief commmander Luan Enjie.

“Chang’e-1 only conducts scientific missions, without any military aims and [is] carrying no military facilities and equipment,” said a spokesman. — Xinhua

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