Chinese experts nearly finished with first map of moon surface
7 Jul 2008, 1650 Hrs

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New Delhi, July 7 (ANI): The chief designer of the Chinese Chang'e -1 lunar probe says that they have gathered all the relevant details to draw the first full map of the Moon's surface.

Sun Jiadong says that the lunar probe is running sound and well, and that the mapping work may complete soon.

Chang'e-1 is China's first lunar orbiter, according to the background information in a report filed by the news agency Xinhua.

Jiadong said that the future of the Chang'e-1, after the end of its one-year stay on the orbit, had not been decided as yet.

He, however, revealed that each and every system of the orbiter is working normally.

The launch of Chang'e-1 is the first step of the country's three-stage lunar probe program, which also includes the launch of a lunar rover for a soft landing, and a second rover that is to collect lunar soil and stone samples for research.

China plans to land its first lunar rover in 2013. (ANI)