BEIJING, Aug. 5 (Xinhuanet) -- China has completed plans for a lunar prospecting satellite and has now started to work on sample designs.

　　Ye Peijian, an official in charge of the research program with the China Research Institute of Space Technology, said breakthroughs had been made in a number of key technologies including ultraviolet sensors and specialized satellite antennas.

　　China began working on designs for the lunar prospecting satellite in April last year, and 10 key task teams have been assigned to undertake research and development, said Ye.

　　The China Research Institute of Space Technology said the lunar prospecting program, considered the first crucial step for China to carry out exploration in the far outer space, will be another milestone in China's aerospace industry after man-made satellites and manned spaceships.

　　The institute vowed to render full support in terms of manpower,finance and equipment to the research so that the lunar prospecting satellite could be developed in the shortest time and be launched as early as possible. Enditem