Xu Dazhe, deputy general manager of China Aerospace Science and Technology Group Ltd. is speaking at a press conference by the State Council Information Office Monday.

    BEIJING, Oct. 17 (Xinhuanet) -- To carry out deep space exploration with a lunar probe will be the inevitable choice of China's space program, a senior space scientist here Monday morning.

    The lunar probe program will be accomplished in three steps, namely lunar orbiting, lunar landing and return from the moon, Xu Dazhe, deputy general manager of China Aerospace Science and Technology Group Ltd., said at a press conference of the State Council Information Office.

    "The corporation is participating in the research and development of the Chang'e-1 lunar probe and related launch vehicle," Xu said.

    He added that "Development of Chang'e-1 lunar probe is now wellunder way as planned."

    Tang Xianming, director of China Manned Space Engineering Office, said the lunar probe program is mainly undertaken by the nation's aerospace agency. Independent from the current manned space program, the lunar probe program is another branch of China's space exploration, Tang added.

    Space walk in 2007

    Chinese taikonauts will conduct space walk in 2007 and the country will also launch target fliers and conduct rendezvous docking in orbit by 2009-12, said Tang Xiaming. 

    He disclosed that the main goal of China's manned space programis to build a permanent space station. Enditem 

    Space mission costs US$110 mln

    A senior Chinese space program official said here Monday they have spent 900 million yuan (about 110 million US dollars) on its second manned space mission and have great interest in commercial satellite launch for global clients.

    All the money is from the government, said Tang.

Tang Xianming, director of China Manned Space Engineering Office, is speaking at a press conference by the State Council Information Office Monday.

    The craft carrying taikonauts Fei Junlong and Nie Haisheng ended up its 155.5-hour space voyage and returned to the Earth at 4:32 Monday morning.

    Tang told the press that China has launched a foreign satellitethis year and signed cooperative contracts on launching several other foreign satellites.

    The successful Shenzhou-6 mission marks the 88th launch and the46th consecutive successful blast-off of China's Long March seriesrockets.

    Tang recalled the whole process of the successful piloted spaceflight, calling it a milestone for China's space program and a proof that the country is completely capable of carrying out its own space program independently.

    No worrisome problem had occurred during Shenzhou-6's space flight, he said.

    At the briefing, Chinese and foreign reporters bombed Tang and the only other spokesman Xu Dazhe, deputy general manger of the China Aerospace Science an Technology Group, with questions on thespace tour of Shenzhou-6 and China's future plans for its space program.

    According to Tang, Chinese taikonauts will conduct space walk in 2007 and the country will also launch target fliers and conductrendezvous docking in orbit by 2009-12, while a Moon-circling satellite is being developed.

    He disclosed that the main goal of China's manned space programis to build a permanent space station.

    All the 14 Chinese taikonauts in service have been trained in microgravity environment in Russia, as part of China's efforts in international cooperation and exchanges in space technology, Tang said.

    He said that China has sent US and French satellites into spacewith Chinese rockets from Chinese launch pads over the past years,winning understanding and support of the international space circle. "We will continue international exchanges and cooperation in this field," Tang said.

    He reiterated that China's endeavor to develop manned space program is completely for peaceful purposes and is currently focused on basic studies on space technology.

    "We are willing to make our due contribution to the explorationand peaceful utilization of space resources," he said.

    Interest in launching international commercial satellites

¡¡ China is interested in international commercial satellite launching, said Xu Dazhe.

    China has launched a foreign satellite this year and signed cooperative contracts on launching several foreign satellites, said Xu.

    The successful Shenzhou-6 mission marks the 88th launch by China's Long March series rockets and the 46th consecutive successful blast-offs. Enditem