China's first lunar satellite is expected to be launched in April, 2007, said Luan Enjie, chief commander of China's lunar exploration project at a symposium on China's moon exploration program in Hong Kong on Wednesday.

The lunar orbiter program, dubbed Chang'e project, will be carried out in three stages, which will lay foundations for China's follow-up manned lunar missions, said Luan.

According to Luan, planning for the lunar exploration project has been underway since January, 2004. In 2005, China conducted a range of researches and experiments on sample products, which have been completed by yearend.

Chinese scientists have overcome many difficulties after one-year exploration and research. But anyway, China plans to use one year to finish the lunar satellite manufacturing. If there were no major problems, China's Chang'e satellite will be launched in April, 2007, said Luan.

After China successfully launched Shenzhou V and Shenzhou VI, the country started the moon probe project afterwards, China's achievements will surely enhance its technological strength and influence in the international community, said Luan.

According to Luan, the lunar probe program will be accomplished in three stages, namely lunar orbiting, landing and returning.

In the first phase, an orbiting satellite will be sent in around 2007. Following the fly-by project, China will proceed to soft-land an unmanned vehicle on the moon to explore the lunar surface in around 2012. In the last phase, scientists plan to scoop up and analyze lunar samples returned to Earth in 2017.

By People's Daily Online