From Xinhua:
A senior Chinese official said here Tuesday that researchers and technicians are making final preparations for the launch of the country’s first moon orbiter, Chang’e I, at the end of October.
Zhang Qingwei, minister in charge of the Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense (COSTIND), who is attending the 17th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC), said in an interview with Xinhua.
Zhang said his team has nearly finished pre-launch tests on the rocket and orbiter, which have been transported to the launch site. [Full Text]
Read also China hopes to join Int’l Space Station project by Xinhua:
China hopes to become the 17th nation joining the International Space Station (ISS) project, Vice Minister of Science and Technology Li Xueyong said on Tuesday.
“China sincerely wants to cooperate with the United States in space exploration and join the International Space Station project that has already involved 16 nations,” said Li, a delegate to the 17th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC), on the sidelines of the event.
The Chinese government has been pursuing a policy of peaceful use of airspace, Li said. [Full Text]
