China said on Friday it will transmit 30 pieces of Chinese music to the Earth next year aboard its first lunar-probing satellite.

The Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense, which is in charge of the lunar-probing project, said it began to seek recommendations from the general public for the music to be played in space.

China is expected to launch its first lunar-probing project next year, according to the the commission.

The State Council approved the country's first lunar probe program in 2004. The satellite program, which has a budget of 1.4 billion yuan (about US$170 million), is part of the country's three-stage lunar project.

The lunar satellite was designed to obtain three-dimensional images of the lunar surface, analyze the content of useful elements and materials, and probe the depth of the lunar soil and the space environment between the earth and the moon. The satellite system consists of a satellite platform and payload, which will be based on China's Dongfanghong 3 satellite systems and other mature satellite technology, the commission said. The satellite will be 2,350 kg in weight with 130 kg of payload, and will orbit the moon for one year.

(Xinhua News Agency July 7, 2006)