
Photo taken on Dec. 2 shows the launch pad at Xichang Satellite Launch Center, southwest China's Sichuan Province. China will launch the Chang'e-3 lunar probe to the moon at 1:30 a.m. Monday. It will be the first time for China to send a spacecraft to soft land on the surface of an extraterrestrial body, where it will conduct surveys on the moon. (Xinhua/Li Gang)
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Rocket ready to launch China's Chang'e-3 lunar probe
XICHANG, Sichuan, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) -- The Long March-3B rocket to carry the Chang'e-3 lunar probe is in normal and sound condition as the launch is within less than two hours, the Xichang Satellite Launch Center announced late Sunday.
It will be the first time for China to send a spacecraft to soft land on the surface of an extraterrestrial body, where it will conduct surveys on the moon. Full story
Conditions fine for China's Chang'e-3 lunar probe launch
XICHANG, Sichuan, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- All systems involving the launch of the Chang'e-3 lunar probe are in normal and sound condition as the launch is within an hour, the Xichang Satellite Launch Center announced early Monday.
The weather at the launch site is also favorable for the launch scheduled at 1:30 a.m. Monday, the center said. Full story
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