China is studying the feasibility of using the Long March 3B carrier rocket for the country's second-stage moon mission of lunar landing, a spokesman for the China National Space Administration said yesterday.

The Long March 3B carrier rocket is from the same family as the Long March 3A on which Chang'e I was launched. It boasts "strong thrust power", Pei Zhaoyu, the spokesman, told a press conference.

Long March 3B is the most powerful carrier rocket developed by China. It can send 5.1 tons of payload into the geosynchronous orbit.

The 3B rockets have successfully launched large satellites, including Mabuhay, ChinaStar-1 and SinoSat-1.

Pei said the next generation Long March 5 rockets, which use pollution-free fuels, will not be ready for launch until after 2012.

Earlier reports said Long March 5 rockets shall be able to send 14 tons of payload into the geosynchronous orbit.

(Xinhua News Agency November 6, 2007)