Special report: China launches first lunar orbiter

The China National Space Administration (CNSA) published four series of moon pictures and some data sent back by Chang'e-1, the country's first lunar orbiter. (Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    TOKYO, Dec. 11 (Xinhua) -- Japan's moon explorer Kaguya and China's lunar probe Chang'e-1 both bear the human race's expectation for fresh knowledge about the celestial body, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) told Xinhua Tuesday.

    In a letter responding to Xinhua's written questions, the JAXA said fruits of Kaguya and Chang'e-1's journeys will both be useful for the mankind's understanding of the moon.

    As for whose high-definition pictures of the moon surface are better, the JAXA said it is unwise to give a simple judgment.

    "The altitudes of orbits from which the pictures were taken and the observation instruments taking the pictures were different, so it's hard to make a definite comparison," the JAXA said, adding that it hopes the two explorers take back respective information to push forward the human being's moon exploration process.

    The agency said achievements made by each country on exploring the moon will be conducive to implementing the scheme established by the Global Exploration Strategy (GES).

    "We would like to talk with China over bilateral cooperation under the GES framework," the JAXA said in the letter.