China's space program is to publish the photos to be taken by the lunar orbiter "Chang'e I", which will be launched later this year, said program engineers in an online interview held by the Commission of Science Technology and Industry for National Defense.

According to the current plan, the launch will be on live broadcast across the nation when the Long March 3A carrier rocket takes off, said Jin Zhiqiang, a major program engineer.

Luan Enjie, head of the program, said earlier the launch date was still undecided due to factors such as weather. However, the satellite would be launched before the end of this year, Luan confirmed.

Chang'e I is expected to fulfill four scientific missions, including collecting three-dimensional moon images, exploring lunar soil, analyzing chemical elements on the Moon's surface and investigating the space environment between the earth and the moon, said engineer Li Chunlai.

More than 10,000 scientists and technicians spent three years developing Chang'e I and its supporting systems.

The moon probe project is the third milestone in China's space technology after satellite and manned spacecraft projects.

(Xinhua News Agency August 18, 2007)