The first piece of probe equipment on Chang'e I, the country's maiden lunar orbiter which was launched on Wednesday and is circling Earth, was activated last night.

The high-energy solar particle detector, which is onboard the satellite with seven other pieces of probe equipment, will collect data on the space expanse between 40,000 and 400,000 km from Earth, according to scientists at the Beijing Aerospace Control Center.

The information it gathers will enable scientists to learn more about the environment and ensure the safety of spacecraft.

The satellite completed its first orbital transfer at 5:57 PM yesterday, another step in its 380,000-km journey to the moon.

Chang'e I is expected to enter the Earth-moon transfer orbit on October 31 before reaching the moon's orbit on November 5.

Its major tasks include a three-dimensional survey of the moon's surface, analysis of distribution and amounts of elements on the lunar surface and exploration of the Earth-moon environment.

Peaceful use of space

A senior Chinese diplomat in New York said on Wednesday that China would like to work with other members of the international community for the peaceful use of outer space to advance human civilization and social progress.

"We would like to reiterate that exploring and using outer space for peaceful purposes should be one of the most important principles for all states to follow," Chen Peijie, counselor and legal advisor of the China Mission to the United Nations, said in a statement at the 4th Committee of the 62nd Session of the UN General Assembly.

Any practice that contravenes this principle, such as weaponization in outer space, goes against the tide of the times, according to the statement.

"We believe that the best way is to negotiate an international legal instrument to prevent weaponization of, and an arms race in, outer space," Chen added.

(Xinhua News Agency October 26, 2007)