China's first lunar obiter will blast off on schedule despite rain that fell in the launch area in Xichang City earlier this morning, Xinhua News Agency reported.

Technicians said that the satellite can take off during light rain as long as there is no lightning.

The ground wind speed should be slower than 10 meters a second on average and the maximum wind speed can't exceed 15 meters a second, the technician said.

Visibility is improving in the sky above the Xichang Satellite Launch Center, where the "Chang'e I" is scheduled to blast off at 6:05pm today.

The satellite launch will mark the first step of China's three-stage moon mission, which is expected to lead to a moon landing no earlier than 2016.

(Shanghai Daily October 24, 2007)