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China to launch lunar probe this year
www.chinanews.cn 2007-05-21 09:30:18
(Source: Xinhua)
Beijing, May 21 - China was "losing no time" in preparing its first lunar
orbiter, Chang'e I, which will most likely be launched in the second half
of 2007, a space official said here on Sunday.
"The moon probe project is the third milestone in China's space
technology after satellite and manned spacecraft projects, and a first
step for us in exploring deep space," said Sun Laiyan, chief of the China
National Space Administration.
Sun, also vice director of the Commission of Science Technology and
Industry for National Defence, made the remarks when briefing students at
Beijing Jiaotong University on China's space program.
China's moon exploration program is divided into three phases --
"circling the moon", "landing on the moon" and "back to earth", said Sun.
The launch of the orbiter is the first phase of China's moon exploration
program, and the second phase will involve the launching of a moon rover,
he said. Earlier reports said the moon rover will be launched around 2012.
In the third phase, another rover will land on the moon and return to
earth with lunar soil and stone samples, Sun said.
"Space activities combine advanced technology, heavy investment, big
profits and high risks," Sun said, adding that only 48 percent of the
world's lunar probing projects had succeeded.
"However, the returns (of space activities) are huge, in terms of
politics, economy, military and convenience brought to everyday life," he
said. "For one dollar invested in space science, you can expect direct
and indirect returns of at least seven dollars."
In addition to moon exploration, Sun said China will continue the
research on manned space missions, including a space walk and experiments
to link passing spacecraft.
China carried out its maiden piloted space flight in October 2003, making
the country the third in the world following the former Soviet Union and
the United States to have put men into space. In October 2005, China sent
its second manned spacecraft into space, with two astronauts on board.
China will also build 12 "Compass" satellites, rendered as "Beidou" in
Chinese, part of a space navigation and positioning system that can
provide service to China and its neighboring countries. It will expand
into a global positioning system with 30 satellites in the future, Sun
said.
China is one of the few countries that are capable of developing
navigation satellite system on its own. Previous reports said it will
provide clients with positioning accuracy within 10 meters, velocity
accuracy with 0.2 meter per second and timing accuracy within 50
nanoseconds.
Five "Compass" satellites have been launched since 2000. The latest
entered the orbit in last month.
Sun said every small move in the space is of strategic importance and
affects state security.
"Space technology reflects a nation's overall power and is an important
facet of the modernization of national defense," he said.
However, he reiterated the country's stance on peaceful use of the space.
"China's space mission is to benefit the entire human race by peacefully
using the outer space," he said.
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