Intense sampling and development of Long March III A carrier rocket, which will launch the Chang'e I lunar probing satellite, is going underway and part of the components and the rocket body have been put into production.

Chang'e I  lunar probing satellite is scheduled to be launched at the end of next year.

As the moon explorer is still under initial development and design, in the future researchers will conduct innovation for adaptability to the rocket with further explorer development.

According to the set schedule, relevant departments will complete design, development, assembly, testing and various experiments of the final lunar probing rocket and fulfill the task of carrier rocket production by October, 2006 and will strive to launch the satellite in December 2006.

(chinanews June 30, 2005)