China intends to launch its first lunar orbiter in 2007

[Guest Chainsaw]

BEIJIN, October 12 (RIA Novosti) - China is planning to launch a research satellite to orbit the Moon in 2007, the head of the national space agency said Thursday.China has already successfully launched into orbit two manned space vehicles. Its first manned flight three years ago made it the third country to launch a human being into space on its own, after Russia and the U.S.

 

"We are planning to launch the [lunar] satellite next year," said Sun Laiyan, head of China's National Space Administration, adding that the preparation of the Chang'e-I satellite for the launch has almost been completed.

 

China has been actively seeking cooperation with Russia, the United States and Japan in space exploration programs.

 

The Russian Space Agency said in September that Russia and China may conclude a Moon exploration agreement by the end of the year. China may also sign a contract to participate in a Russian project to bring soil back from one of Mars' moons - Phobos.

 

"One of the directions we are working in is a flight to Phobos, with Chinese participation, which will bring back some of its soil to Earth," Anatoly Perminov, the head of the agency said.

 

The Russian-Chinese Space Exploration Commission will hold a session in Beijing by the end of 2006.

http://en.rian.ru/world/20061012/54750264.html

 

 

[Guest MattyMan]

Very very interesting. I wonder if more countries would eventually become involved in space missions in the future.