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China launches first Moon orbiter China launches first Moon orbiter
(20 minutes later)
China has launched its first lunar orbiter, on a planned year-long exploration mission to the Moon.China has launched its first lunar orbiter, on a planned year-long exploration mission to the Moon.
The satellite, named Chang'e 1, took off from the Xichang Centre in south-west China's Sichuan province at 1800 local time (1000 GMT).The satellite, named Chang'e 1, took off from the Xichang Centre in south-west China's Sichuan province at 1800 local time (1000 GMT).
It is expected to send back 3D images of the Moon's surface. Analysts say it is a key step towards China's aim of putting a man on the Moon by 2020, in the latest stage of an Asian space race with Japan and India
Earlier this month, a Japanese lunar probe successfully entered orbit around the Moon. India is also planning a lunar mission in April next year. Earlier this month, a Japanese lunar probe entered orbit around the Moon.
Space race India is planning a lunar mission for April next year.
The Chang'e 1, named after a Chinese goddess who flew to the Moon, was launched by a Long March 3A rocket. Gathering pace
State TV broadcast the launch of the unmanned Chang'e 1, named after a Chinese goddess who flew to the Moon.
"The operation is normal," voices in the control room were heard to say shortly after the launch.
Thousands of people living within 2.5km (1.6 miles) of the site and under the flight trajectory had been evacuated as standard procedure, officials at the Xichang Centre said.Thousands of people living within 2.5km (1.6 miles) of the site and under the flight trajectory had been evacuated as standard procedure, officials at the Xichang Centre said.
The satellite is expected to enter lunar orbit in early November and start sending back pictures of the Moon's surface later that month.The satellite is expected to enter lunar orbit in early November and start sending back pictures of the Moon's surface later that month.
It is expected to remain in orbit for a year.
Efforts by Asian nations to advance their space programmes have gathered pace in recent years.Efforts by Asian nations to advance their space programmes have gathered pace in recent years.
In 2003, China became the first Asian nation to use its own rocket to put an astronaut in space.In 2003, China became the first Asian nation to use its own rocket to put an astronaut in space.
Four years later, Beijing triggered international concern by destroying a weather satellite as part of a weapons test.Four years later, Beijing triggered international concern by destroying a weather satellite as part of a weapons test.