China's unfolding space
plans include that country's first foray into exploration of the Moon. A
Chang'e I lunar orbiter is nearing final construction, being readied for
rocketing to the Moon in 2007.
Preparations
to launch Chang'e I--named after the Chinese goddess who flew to the Moon in a
popular fairy tale--are to be completed by February for launch later next year,
according to a November 29 report by China's Xinhua news agency.
Among
several tasks, the orbiter will provide 3D images of the Moon's surface, chart
elements on the Moon, measure the thickness of the lunar soil, as well as
monitor the space environment between the Moon and Earth.
Chang'e
I is based on China's Dongfanghong III telecommunication satellite platform.
Earlier
accounts from China had noted that Chang'e I is headed for an April liftoff.
Moon tunes
Last
month, Xinhua reported that Chang'e I would be filled with "Moon tunes"--songs
selected by public vote and a panel of experts. The songs would be broadcast to
Earth via the lunar orbiter.
A
majority of the tunes are Chinese folk songs, with "My Wonderful Hometown"
receiving top votes, followed by "I Love China," "Singing Praises of
Motherland" and 27 others.
China's national anthem
and "The East is Red"--broadcast from the country's first satellite of Earth back
in 1970--will also be played from the Chang'e I.
Chang'e
I is the first element of a multi-pronged lunar exploration program, the Xinhua
report noted.
The
Moon orbiter is to be followed in later years by a remote-controlled lunar
rover that would perform experiments and send data back to Earth. In the third
phase, an automated probe will be dispatched to the Moon that carries drilling
gear to dig up lunar samples for return to Earth.
This
three-part robotic exploration of the Moon would be wrapped up by 2017. At that
time, China will consider a human mission to the Moon, the Xinhua news agency
reported.
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