China launches space probe to the moon
{{date|October 24, 2007}}
[[Image:Chang e 1.jpg|right|thumb|Computer model of the Chang'e 1 spacecraft.{{Image source|NASA}}]]
The [[China|People's Republic of China]] today launched its first [[w:moon|moon]] orbiter as part of the [[w:Chinese Lunar Exploration Program|country's lunar exploration program]].

At 18:05 hours [[w:China Standard Time|local time]] (10:05 [[w:UTC|UTC]]) the rocket [[w:Chang'e 1|Chang'e 1]] lifted off from [[w:Xichang Satellite Launch Center|Xichang Satellite Launch Center]] in southwestern China. The name of the probe refers to the [[w:Chang'e (mythology)|Chinese goddess of the moon]].

The [[w:China Central Television|state television network]] broadcast live footage of the countdown and launch, which took place in the presence of Chinese officials and some 2,000 Chinese who paid around [[w:United States dollar|US$]]100 to attend the event, but without any international press.

The 2350 [[w:Kilogram|kg]] probe is expected to enter a lunar orbit on November 5. On its year-long mission, Chang'e 1 will obtain three dimensional images of the Moon's surface and gather information related to the chemical and physical properties of the lunar soil. It will do so circulating at about 200 kilometers above the lunar surface. On its way to the Moon the spacecraft will register data regarding the solar winds, or space weather. It will also broadcast 30 patriotic Chinese songs when orbiting the Moon.

The officially-[[w:Socialism with Chinese characteristics|Communist]] nation which hosts [[w:2008 Summer Olympics|next year's Olympics]] hopes to put a [[w:Astronaut#China|taikonaut]] on the moon in ten to 15 years. Last month, [[Japan]] launched a lunar probe while [[India]] hopes to achieve the same next April. In 2003, China used one of their own rockets to get the astronaut [[w:Yang Liwei|Yang Liwei]] into [[space]]. Yang told the [[w:Xinhua News Agency|Xinhua News Agency]] last week that once China has a manned [[w:space station|space station]], he and his fellow taikonauts could form a new branch of the [[w:Communist Party of China|Communist Party]] in space.

Last January, China used a rocket to [[w:2007 Chinese anti-satellite missile test|blow up one of its own satellites]], sparking fears from the [[United States]] and other countries that China might have a military agenda in space, besides the problems of space pollution and danger to other satellites the explosion caused. China says the goals of its space program are scientific and peaceful.

{{haveyoursay}}
==Sources==
{{wikipediapar|Chang'e 1}}
*{{source|url=http://www.euronews.net/index.php?page=info&article=450154&lng=1
|title=China launches lunar ambitions with moon shot
|author=
|pub=EuroNews
|date=October 24, 2007}}
*{{source|url=http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-chimoon25oct25,1,5477738.story?coll=la-headlines-world
|title=China launches its first lunar orbiter
|author=Ching-Ching Ni
|pub=Los Angeles Times
|date=October 24, 2007}}
*{{source|url=http://voanews.com/english/2007-10-24-voa17.cfm
|title=China Launches First Moon Probe in Latest Space Exploration Effort
|author=Daniel Schearf
|pub=VOA News
|date=October 24, 2007}}
*{{source|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2007-10/24/content_6937622.htm
|title=China's 1st moon orbiter enters Earth orbit
|author=Lin Li 
|pub=China View
|date=October 24, 2007}}
*{{source|url=http://www.nature.com/news/2007/071024/full/news.2007.194.html
|title=China Moon mission lifts off
|author=Geoff Brumfiel
|pub=Nature News
|date=October 24, 2007}}
*{{source-pr|url=http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/10/071024115241.htm
|title=China And ESA Launch Moon Mission -- Chang'e-1
|author=ESA
|pub=Science Daily
|date=October 24, 2007}}

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[[Category:Science and technology]]
[[Category:Space]]
[[Category:Chemistry]]
[[Category:China]]
[[Category:Asia]]
[[Category:Physics]]
[[Category:The Moon]]

[[de:Chinesische Raumsonde auf dem Weg zum Mond]]
[[es:China lanza exitosamente sonda espacial Chang'e I a la Luna]]
[[fr:La Chine a lancé avec succès la sonde Chang'e 1 vers la Lune]]
[[it:La Cina lancia il suo primo satellite lunare]]
[[pl:Chiny bliżej Księżyca - sonda Chang'e 1 wystrzelona]]
[[ru:Китайский спутник летит к Луне]]
Computer model of the Chang'e 1 spacecraft.
The People's Republic of China today launched its first moon orbiter as part of the country's lunar exploration program.

At 18:05 hours local time (10:05 UTC) the rocket Chang'e 1 lifted off from Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwestern China. The name of the probe refers to the Chinese goddess of the moon.

The state television network broadcast live footage of the countdown and launch, which took place in the presence of Chinese officials and some 2,000 Chinese who paid around US$100 to attend the event, but without any international press.

The 2350 kg probe is expected to enter a lunar orbit on November 5. On its year-long mission, Chang'e 1 will obtain three dimensional images of the Moon's surface and gather information related to the chemical and physical properties of the lunar soil. It will do so circulating at about 200 kilometers above the lunar surface. On its way to the Moon the spacecraft will register data regarding the solar winds, or space weather. It will also broadcast 30 patriotic Chinese songs when orbiting the Moon.

The officially-Communist nation which hosts next year's Olympics hopes to put a taikonaut on the moon in ten to 15 years. Last month, Japan launched a lunar probe while India hopes to achieve the same next April. In 2003, China used one of their own rockets to get the astronaut Yang Liwei into space. Yang told the Xinhua News Agency last week that once China has a manned space station, he and his fellow taikonauts could form a new branch of the Communist Party in space.

Last January, China used a rocket to blow up one of its own satellites, sparking fears from the United States and other countries that China might have a military agenda in space, besides the problems of space pollution and danger to other satellites the explosion caused. China says the goals of its space program are scientific and peaceful.
Science and technology Space Chemistry China Asia Physics The Moon