Source: Xinhuanet

10-23-2007 08:55

Li Guoping, spokesman for China National Space Administration (CNSA), speaks during a news conference in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 22, 2007. China is planning to launch its first moon orbiter on October 24 at the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Sichuan Province. (Xinhua Photo)

BEIJING, Oct. 22 (Xinhua) -- China is planning to launch its first moon orbiter at around 6 p.m. on October 24 from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Sichuan Province.

"The satellite will be launched between October 24 and 26 and our first choice is around 6 p.m. on October 24," a spokesman for the China National Space Administration (CNSA) said.

The circumlunar satellite, which has been named Chang'e I after the legendary Chinese goddess who, according to legend, flew to the moon, and the carrier Long March 3A have passed all pre-launch tests and have been transported to the launch site.

The lunar probe is expected to enter earth-moon transfer orbit on October 31 and arrive in the moon's orbit on November 5.