At 18:05, October 24th, 2007, the first lunar satellite of China, Chang’e 1, was successfully launched at Xichang Satellite Control & Launch Center. As the deputy director of the leading team for lunar orbiter program, Vice Minister CAO accompanied Vice Premier Zeng Peiyan to witness the launching of “Chang’e 1”on site.

MOST has given great support to lunar orbiting and deep-space exploration, which was incorporated into the “National 863 Plan” during the “Eleventh Five-year”. In addition, MOST, along with other relevant departments, jointly promotes the launch of the lunar exploration program, a major national S&T program. The ministry’s planning in deep-space exploration and lunar sciences application will provide relevant S&T support and application demonstration to the monitoring of “Chang’e 1”.