China to launch satellites for lunar surveying
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2006-05-06 17:08
China will launch high-resolution satellites to conduct surveying and mapping
of the moon in upcoming five years, the People's Daily reports on Saturday.
The satellites will probe the moon's surface, physiognomy, landform and
geological structure to draw a three-dimensional map of high precision, the
report says.
According to earlier reports, China is expected to launch its first ever
moon-orbiting satellite, Chang'e I, by 2007 and Chinese scientists are testing
research facilities to board the satellite.
After long-standing preparation, Chinese decision-makers gave a green-light
to a moon exploration plan in 2004. The plan is targeted at surveying and
analyzing usable elements on the moon as well as the space environment between
the earth and the moon.
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