Special report: China launches first lunar orbiter     

China publishes its first full map of the moon surface in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 12, 2008, about a year after its first lunar probe -- Chang'e-1 -- was launched. (Xinhua/Li Xiaoguo) Photo Gallery>>>

    BEIJING, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- Chinese scientists revealed the country's first full map of the moon's surface on Wednesday, more than a year after the launch of its first lunar probe, Chang'e-1.

    The picture of the moon surface, unveiled on Wednesday, covered the complete range of areas on the moon surface, according to the State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense, which is in charge of the country's moon program.

    Scientists created the map with the image data captured by the satellite-borne camera on the Chang'e-1, administration vice director Sun Laiyan told reporters.

    It was the most complete image of the moon surface, and also the richest in detail, among similar pictures published so far, according to experts with the country's moon probe program.

    The lunar probe was originally designed to cover the moon surface within 70 degrees south and north latitudes. However, the camera was in a good condition to get high-definition image data of the south and north poles of the moon as well.

    The map was presented to the National Museum of China at the press conference, but the museum's curator did not say when it would be on public display.

    "Chang'e-1 has completed its one-year operation and scientific exploration, and this marked the successful completion of the country's first-phase moon mission," said administration director Chen Qiufa.

    Chen also said China planned to launch its second lunar probe, Chang'e-2, before the end of 2011.

    The launch of Chang'e-1 in October last year was the first step of China's three-stage moon mission, and a moon landing and the launch of a moon rover at around 2012 was planned for the second stage.

    In the third phase, another rover will land on the moon and return to earth with lunar soil and stone samples for scientific research at around 2017. 

China publishes its first full map of the moon surface in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 12, 2008, about a year after its first lunar probe -- Chang'e-1 -- was launched. (Xinhua/Li Xiaoguo) Photo Gallery>>>

China approves second-phase lunar probe program

    BEIJING, March 26 (Xinhua) -- China's State Council, the cabinet, has approved the country's second-phase lunar probe program, the Beijing Times reported on Wednesday. It cited Luan Enjie, the director-in-chief of the China Moon-orbiting Program.

    "We are organizing people to make detailed plans for the program," Luan told a conference on Tuesday.

China marks 1st moon probe project

    BEIJING, Dec. 12 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Hu Jintao said on Wednesday that China would adhere to the principle of peaceful development and use of outer space in concerted efforts with other nations.

    Hu made the remarks at a grand ceremony held Wednesday morning at the Great Hall of the People to celebrate the first-phase lunar probe project's success.

Chang'e-1 photographs dark side of the moon

This undated photo shows a ray crater on the moon issued by the China National Space Administration (CNSA) on Dec. 11, 2007. The charge-coupled device (CCD) camera on Chang'e-1, China's first lunar orbiter, has started imaging probes on the dark side of the moon and captured photos of parts of this region, CNSA announced Tuesday.  (Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    BEIJING, Dec. 11 (Xinhua) -- The charge-coupled device (CCD) camera on Chang'e-1, China's first lunar orbiter, has started imaging probes on the dark side of the moon and captured photos of parts of this region, the China National Space Administration (CNSA) announced Tuesday.