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China has announced the launch of a lunar probe from 1 to 3 October. / October 1, 2010 /

China to launch a second orbital lunar probe «Chang’e-2» from 1 to 3 October 2010. On it informs Associated Press referring to local news services.

In space the unit will output booster "Changzheng-3C» (Long March-3C). The first and second stage rocket, which is on the launch pad at the Centre for the launch of satellites Xichang (Xichang), has been filled with fuel, and filling the third stage is expected in the near future.

Probe «Chang’e-2» will be the second unmanned vehicles, which China will send to the moon. The first — «Chang’e 1» — was launched in October 2007 and worked on the lunar orbit 16 months. At the end of its mission the probe crashed into the surface of the Earth’s satellite.

It was originally planned that the «Chang’e-2» will be a copy of its predecessor, but later representatives of the Chinese space industry was told that he will be equipped with more advanced equipment and can be attributed to the next generation of lunar probes. «Chang’e-2 will photograph the lunar surface, and, in particular, look for a suitable place for landing the descent module» Chang’e-3, which should go to the Earth’s satellite in 2013.

All three handsets are part of an ambitious program of lunar exploration, which is being developed by China. Its culmination should be a manned mission to Earth’s satellite, which is tentatively scheduled for 2017.

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