China has started the second lunar probe.

The Carrier rocket «Chanchzhen-3C» (Long March-3C) started from the cosmodrome in the Center on start of companions Sichan (Xichang) at 18:59 local time. Earlier representatives of space-rocket branch of the Peoples Republic of China informed that start of «Chane-2» will take place during the period from October, 1 till October, 3rd, 2010.

Device «Чанъэ-2» should reach the terrestrial companion in five days. He will address on an orbit in height of hundred kilometers. Its problems will include studying and photographing of a lunar surface, and also search of a suitable place for lander «Chane-3» landing. Its start is planned for 2013.

«Chane-2» — the second device for the Moon studying, started by China. Its predecessor of «Chane-1» has gone to the terrestrial companion in October, 2007. It reached the Moon of 12 days, and the height of its orbit made 200 kilometers. «Chane-1» has finished the mission in March, 2009, врезавшись in the Moon surface. It was initially supposed that the second probe will be a copy of the first, however after its design has been essentially finished.

Creation and start of pilotless lunar probes are the first part of the scale program of China on development of the terrestrial companion. In 2017 of the Peoples Republic of China intend to send to the Moon piloted mission.