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.
The circumlunar satellite Chang'e-1 blasted off on a Long March
3A carrier rocket at 6:05?PM from the No. 3 launching tower in
the Xichang Satellite Launch Center of southwestern Sichuan
Province.
Chinese space experts, technicians and other work staff, joined
by experts from Japan, Germany and other countries as well as
millions of domestic audience from across the country, were
watching the launching process.
(Xinhua News Agency October 24, 2007)
