Chang'e I survives its darkest hour

Chang'e I, China's pioneering lunar probing satellite, came through its first lunar eclipse yesterday and has regained full operations.

Chang'e-1 to meet moon eclipse today

China's first lunar probing satellite, Chang'e-1, will be put to test Thursday morning when the Earth eclipses the Sun and blocks the supply of solar energy.

Chang'e-1 captures pictures of moon's polar areas

China's first lunar probe, Chang'e-1, has successfully captured pictures of the moon's polar areas.

Chang'e-1 adjusts orbit to shun moon eclipse

China's first lunar probing satellite, Chang'e-1, adjusted its operating orbit on Sunday night to avoid a power shortage during an upcoming moon eclipse.

Think tank of China's first lunar exploration program

On December 12, President Hu Jintao declared that China had joined other countries having the capability for deep space exploration. The capability for deep space exploration includes the potential to enter space, satellite development and application, space foundation and protection, manned spaceflight as well as space exploration, all of which can be attributed to many technical breakthroughs inside China within the past three years. China's first lunar exploration program has been very successful, demonstrating outstanding wisdom on the part of the Chinese scientists.

14 babies named Chang'e

Fourteen Chinese babies have received the name Chang'e because they were born between October 24 and November 7, when China's first lunar probe, Chang'e-1, was launched into space.

Space scientists foresee arduous future tasks

Chinese scientists have pledged to seize time to start the plan and implementation for the second-phase of China's lunar probe program at a red-carpet ceremony opened on Wednesday morning to mark the country's initial success in deep space exploration.

China joins nations with capability of deep space exploration

President Hu Jintao said the success of the first stage of China's lunar probe program indicated the nation had joined countries with capability of deep space exploration.

President pledges peaceful use of outer space

President Hu Jintao pledged Wednesday that China would adhere to the principle of peaceful development and use of outer space in concerted efforts with other nations at a grand ceremony to celebrate the success of China's first lunar probe Chang'e-1 in the Great Hall of the People.

Grand ceremony celebrates success of Chang'e-1

Beijing held a grand ceremony at the Great Hall of the People Wednesday morning to celebrate the success of the first stage of China's lunar probe program.

Chang'e-1 photographs dark side of the moon

The charge-coupled device (CCD) camera on Chang'e-1 has started imaging probes on the dark side of the moon and captured photos of parts of this region.

New moon photos taken by Chang'e-1 released

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.

China will soon have its own moon globe

China will make its own lunar globe soon, using pictures and data collected by its own moon orbiter.

1st Mars probe to blast off in 2009

China's first Mars probe is scheduled to be launched atop a Russian rocket in October 2009, revealed a project researcher Sunday at a forum in Hainan Province.

China to launch Chang'e-1 duplicate in 2009

China will launch a duplicate of the Chang'e-1 lunar probe in 2009 to fulfill new missions.

Commemorative coins for Chang'e-1 issued

The People's Bank of China issued a set of commemorative coins on Wednesday, to mark the successful launch of Chang'e-1, the country's first lunar probe.

Moon probe project exhibition

China's Moon Probe Project Exhibition was kicked off at the Beijing Planetarium November 28, 2007.

Blackout to test power supply of Chang'e I

Chang'e I will experience a lunar eclipse around February 21. This may lead to a power shortage because of the lack of sunlight on its solar panels that generate electricity, experts have said.

China to publish whole lunar 3D image in January

China's space experts are working on the data sent back by Chang’e 1 to formulate a 3D image. The picture is expected to be published in January next year.

Chang'e I begins its exploration work

Chang'e I, China's first lunar orbiter, officially began exploring the moon yesterday evening, the China National Space Administration (CNSA) said.

Chang'e-1 set to power up equipment

China's first lunar orbiter Chang'e-1 will change its posture to get positioned on the moon late tonight, and activate probing facilities aboard afterwards to get ready for scientific exploration, the China National Space Administration said yesterday.

Chang'e I enters moon's 'working orbit'

The country's first lunar orbiter entered the moon's "working orbit" after completing its third and final braking at 8:34 AM yesterday, the China National Space Administration (CNSA) announced.

Chang'e-1 completes journey to moon

China's first lunar probe, Chang'e-1, completed its 1,580,000-km flying journey to the moon successfully on Wednesday morning and entered its working orbit.

Launch of space station set for 2020

China is well on track to launching its own space station by 2020, according to a top rocket expert. He also described the planned space station as "a small-scale 20-ton space workshop".

Chang'e-1 completes second braking, closer to final orbit

China's first lunar probe, Chang'e-1, completed its second braking on Tuesday's morning, which further decelerated the satellite to get it closer to its final orbit.

Long March 3B in 2nd stage mission

China is studying the feasibility of using the Long March 3B carrier rocket for the country's second-stage moon mission of lunar landing, a spokesman for the China National Space Administration said yesterday.

China announces timing of another two brakes for Chang'e-1

China's first lunar probe, Chang'e-1, will perform its second braking at about 11:00 AM on Nov. 6, according to a spokesman with the China National Space Administration (CNSA) on Monday afternoon.

Chang'e-1 stops rotating for first braking at perilune

China's first lunar probe, Chang'e-1, stopped rotation at 9:00 AM on Monday and is preparing for its first braking at perilune to enter the moon's orbit.

1st lunar probe enters moon's orbit

China's first lunar probe, Chang'e-1, successfully completed its first braking at perilune and entered the moon's orbit Monday morning, becoming China's first circumlunar satellite.

Lunar probe is on trajectory with no more corrections

China's first lunar probe Chang'e-1 will fly to the moon orbit with no more orbital corrections, a scientist with the Beijing Aerospace Control Center (BACC) said on Saturday.

Chang'e-1 completes first orbital correction

China's lunar probe Chang'e-1 successfully carried out its first orbital correction Friday morning in a bid to ensure that it travels on the pre-set orbit.

Chang'e on course to enter lunar orbit on Monday

China's first lunar orbiter is doing well in space and expected to reach its moon orbit at 11:25 am on Monday, the China National Space Administration (CNSA) said yesterday.

Chang'e-1 enters earth-moon transfer orbit

Lunar probe Chang'e I completed its fourth orbital transfer Wednesday afternoon, a critical step in the journey to the moon.

Chang'e-1 at its furthest point from Earth

Chang'e-1, the country's first moon orbiter, arrived at its furthest point from Earth - some 120,000 km - at 5:40 PM yesterday on a new orbit, setting a distance record for China's space industry.

China promises to make public data

China will make public the data collected by its first lunar probe Chang'e-1 and share them with foreign countries, Chinese official in charge of the moon exploration program said on Monday.

Chang'e I completes 2nd transfer

Chang'e I, China's first lunar orbiter, continued its dance in outer space on Friday, completing its second orbital transfer to move a step further on its 380,000-km journey to Earth's only satellite.

Lunar probe completes first orbital transfer

China's first lunar probe Chang'e-1 completed its first orbital transfer Thursday afternoon, another key move in its 380,000-km journey to the moon. The orbital transfer began at 5:55 PM and succeeded after 130 seconds.

Chang'e I solar antenna activated

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.

China has no timetable for manned moon landing

China has no plan or timetable for a manned moon landing for now, senior Chinese lunar scientists told Xinhua on Thursday, a day after the nation launched its first lunar probe, Chang'e-1.

Official praises the successful lunar probe launch

China's first lunar probe launch was successful, a Chinese official announced Wednesday evening at the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China's Sichuan Province.

Solar panel of Chang'e-1 probe unfolded

China's first lunar probe Chang'e-1 has begun to use solar energy for power supply as the solar panel of the orbiter was unfolded as planned, according to the control center.

1st moon orbiter enters earth orbit

The Chang'e-1 moon orbiter has entered into a 16-hour orbit at 205 kilometers perigee and 50,930 kilometers apogee, statistics from the Beijing Aerospace Control Center (BACC) shows.

Lunar orbiter project costs only 1 bln yuan

China's milestone lunar orbiter project only costs 1 to 1.4 billion yuan (about US$133 to 187 million), the same amount as the money used to construct two kilometers of subway in Beijing, said Ouyang Ziyuan, chief scientist of the lunar exploration program.

First lunar probe Chang'e-1 blasts off successfully

China launched its first lunar probe on Wednesday, the first step into its ambitious three-stage moon mission, marking a new milestone in the country's space exploration history.

Chang'e-1 launch site clears for blastoff

Testing operators have started leaving the launching tower in the Xichang Satellite Launch Center, where China's first lunar probe Chang'e-1 will blast off at around 6:00 PM on Wednesday.

Chang'e I will lift off on schedule today

Chang'e I is expected to blast off as scheduled late this afternoon. This morning's heavy downpour will not affect launch plans, according to a scientist at the Xichang Satellite Launch Center. China.org.cn has a reporter on site at Xichang, Sichuan Province.

China's road to the moon

The nation's first moon orbiter is scheduled to blast off at around 6:05 PM today from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China's Sichuan Province. Yet China's road to the moon has not been very smooth. In past years, untold Chinese people have made Herculean efforts to fulfill the dream their ancestors have cherished for thousands of years.

Moon orbiter launched

China launched its first lunar probe on Wednesday, first step into its ambitious three-stage moon mission, marking a new milestone in the country's space exploration history. [Full Coverage] [Audio Clips]

Lunar orbiter set to blast off on Oct. 24

The nation's first moon orbiter is scheduled to blast off at around 6 PM tomorrow from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China's Sichuan Province.

Chinese expect lunar satellite launch

The run-up to the launch of China's first lunar orbiter at the end of this month has caught the country's imagination, with more than two thirds of the nation hoping to see the launch live on TV, according to a survey.

Liftoff for aerospace blueprint

The government yesterday unveiled an ambitious blueprint for aerospace development in the next five years, just days before the launch of China's first lunar orbiter scheduled for next week.

Nation hopes to cooperate in space

China wishes to join nations around the world in the peaceful exploration of outer space, a senior official said yesterday.

China to launch 1st lunar satellite next week

China's first lunar satellite is scheduled to blast off next week from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China's Sichuan Province, the Shanghai Morning Post reported today.

Moon orbiter, Chang'e I, sets to take off

Visitors walk past Long March III carrier rocket at the Xichang Satellite Launch Center located in southwest China's Sichuan Province October 18. The country's first moon orbiter, Chang'e I, is set to be launched in late October.

Lunar probe duplicate on display

China's first lunar satellite scheduled to hit moon

Chang'e I, China's first lunar probe satellite will hit the moon to end its one-year orbital tour as part of the research mission, said Professor Xiao Naiyuan from the Department of Astronomy of Nanjing University in a scientific lecture held on October 6, according to a report by Nanjing Daily on October 8. The launch day of the satellite is yet to be determined.

Space program eyes farther frontiers

Major breakthroughs are expected by 2010 in the country's ambitious space programs - from manned flights to the lunar probe - a senior space administrator said yesterday.

China plans to realize spacecraft rendezvous and docking by 2010

China plans to realize space-walking, spacecraft rendezvous and docking and set up a space laboratory, according to a blueprint approved by the State Council.

Fly Me to the Moon: The Great Debate

Back in March 2003, the China National Space Administration formally announced that it had begun working on the lunar probe project. The lunar landing is a source of fascination for many, but it is also a target of criticism and disparagement.

China to allocate 80 bln yuan for high-tech development

The China Development Bank (CDB) will provide 80 billion yuan (US$10.7 billion) to support the development and innovation of high-tech enterprises in upcoming five years.

China's 1st Lunar Orbiter Equals 2km of Subway

The first stage of China's moon-orbiting program - the launching of the Chang'e-1 Lunar Orbiter - will cost as much as the construction of two kilometer-stretch of subway in Beijing, said the chief scientist of the country's lunar program.

China to launch one more maritime satellite in 2009

China plans to launch one more maritime satellite in 2009, an official said on Sunday.

New Satellite Can Monitor Toxic Chemical Transportation

China has developed the Beidou satellite monitoring system for toxic chemicals transportation, the Beijing Times reported in Beijing on Monday.

Chinese Satellites Were Temporarily on the Blink

At least three orbiting satellites have been malfunctioning but experts salvaged all of them, aerospace scientists said in Beijing on Monday.

China Launches New Communications Satellite

"Chinasat 6B," a French-made communications satellite, rocketed into space from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China's Sichuan Province on Thursday.

Space Law to Outline China's Ambitions

China is for the first time ready to pass a law governing conduct in outer space, according to the country's first astronaut. Yang Liwei made these comments when speaking at the Southwest University of Political Science and Law as China's bold race into space is causing widespread international concern.

China Launches Satellite SinoSat-3

China on early Friday morning launched SinoSat-3, a communications satellite for radio and television broadcasting, aboard a Long March-3A carrier rocket, marking the 100th flight of its Long March series.

China Launches New Remote Sensing Satellite

China launched a new remote sensing satellite "Yaogan II" from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China at 15:12 Beijing Time on Friday.

China to Launch 3 Satellites for Environment, Disaster Monitoring

China plans to launch three small satellites for environment and disaster monitoring and forecasting next year, said Zhang Qingwei, general manager of the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp., on Wednesday.

3 Satellites Set for Launch in 2008

Efforts to monitor natural disasters and the environment will get a lift from aloft next year, when three small satellites will be launched.

China hopes to join International Space Station project

China hopes to become the 17th nation joining the International Space Station (ISS) project, Vice Minister of Science and Technology Li Xueyong said on Tuesday.

Space program eyes farther frontiers

Major breakthroughs are expected by 2010 in the country's ambitious space programs - from manned flights to the lunar probe - a senior space administrator said yesterday.

China's space centers to open for tourists

With the expansion of the national space program, China is witnessing a nationwide enthusiasm in space-related tourism, and a variety of special tours are now in the planning stages.

First Manned Mission Threatened by Communication Blackout

Chinese aerospace experts saved the country's first ever manned space mission as the spaceship was faced with lethal impact while flying through the communications blackout area before landing.

China Capable of Using Space Tech for Weather Forecasting

China's development of space technology may not only be a means to fulfill the government's space dreams - it can be used for precision weather forecasting and pollution control, according to a meteorological expert who works for China's manned space program.