Chang´e-One: First step in China´s lunar probing

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Source: CCTV.com | 11-26-2007 14:23

China's space administration will provide scientists with the data collected by the Chang'e-One to be used for application research. Meanwhile, the space agency has also created a preliminary timetable for future lunar probes.

The China National Space Administration says it will do its best to offer the data to as many scientists as possible.

Sun Laiyan, director of China Nat'l Spcae Admin.,said, "China is establishing a science commission. More than one hundred experts take part in the research work. We have to make good use of the data for our anticipated results."

Experts from over 70 universities and 30 research institutions have so far signed up, including those from the Hong Kong and Macao S.A.Rs.

Scientists say achievements made by the lunar probe will push forward technological breakthrough and innovation.

Ouyang Ziyuan, chief scientist of China's lunar Orbiter Project,said, "It's very important for our country to conduct the lunar probing in a way that will boost our new, high-tech development and innovation and cultivate a team of our own to take our aerospace technology to a new level."

Chang'e-One is only the first step in China's lunar probing.

As a national key technological program, various follow-up projects are being analyzed.

Luan Enjie, chief commander of China's Lunar Orbiter Project, said, "Our lunar probing is split into three phases, namely orbiting, landing, and return. That is exploring the moon by orbiting it. Then, landing our devices onto the moon for direct observation and exploration. And the third step is a sample return craft."

The three phases are scheduled to be completed by about 2020.

Editor:Zhang Ning