To carry out deep space exploration with a lunar probe will be
the inevitable choice of China's space program, a senior space
scientist?said Monday morning.
The lunar probe program will be accomplished in three steps,
namely lunar orbiting, lunar landing and return from the moon, Xu
Dazhe, deputy general manager of China Aerospace Science and
Technology Group Ltd., said at a press conference of the State
Council Information Office.
"The corporation is participating in the research and
development of the Chang'e-1 lunar probe and related launch
vehicle," Xu said.
He added that "Development of Chang'e-1 lunar probe is now well
under way as planned."
Tang Xianming, director of China Manned Space Engineering
Office, said the lunar probe program is mainly undertaken by the
nation's aerospace agency. Independent from the current manned
space program, the lunar probe program is another branch of China's
space exploration, Tang added.
Space walk in 2007
Chinese taikonauts will conduct space walk in 2007 and the
country will also launch target fliers and conduct rendezvous
docking in orbit by 2009-12, said Tang Xiaming.
He disclosed that the main goal of China's manned space program
is to build a permanent space station.
Mission completed for peaceful purposes
China reiterated Monday that the country's space program has
been completely for peaceful purposes and it currently is focused
on basic studies on space technology, said Tang.
Cost of the space mission
China spent a total of 900 million Yuan (US$110 million) on its
second manned space mission, said Tang.
He added that all money spent on the mission is from the
government purse.
No worrisome situation in the second mission
No worrisome situation occurred in China's second manned space
mission, Tang said.
The Shenzhou VI?spacecraft carried out a "perfect" mission,
he said at a press conference of the State Council Information
Office.
Interest in launching international commercial
satellites
China is interested in international commercial satellite
launching, said an official with China Aerospace Science and
Technology Group Ltd. on Monday.
China has launched a foreign satellite this year and signed
cooperative contracts on launching several foreign satellites, said
Xu Dazhe.
The successful Shenzhou VI?mission marks the 88th launch by
China's Long March series rockets and the 46th consecutive
successful blast-offs.
(Xinhua News Agency October 17, 2005)