China's first lunar probe launch was successful, a Chinese official announced Wednesday evening at the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China's Sichuan Province.

Li Shangfu, director of the Xichang launch center made the announcement after the orbitor succussfully entered the earth orbit and unfolded its solar panel.

The launch of the lunar probe "marks another milestone in China's aerospace program following the launch of man-made satellite and manned space missions", Chinese vice-premier Zeng Peiyan said at the Xichang launch center.

The circumlunar satellite Chang'e-1 blasted off on a Long March 3A carrier rocket at 6:05 p.m. from the No. 3 launching tower in the Xichang Satellite Launch Center of southwestern Sichuan Province.

The 2,300-kg satellite will experience four accelerations and is expected to enter earth-moon transfer orbit on October 31 and arrive in the moon's orbit on November 5.

(Xinhua News Agency October 24, 2007)