All indications show the second stage for lunar exploration program is going smoothly. The project is preparing to send China's first lunar lander and rover to the moon for close observations by the end of this year.

Wu Weiren, chief designer of Lunar Exploration Project, said, "Now we're preparing for the launch of Chang'e-2 probe in the latter half of this year."

The Chang'e-2 can reach lunar orbit in seven days, compared to two weeks for the Chang'e-1. The new vehicle's key soft-landing technologies, which can provide high-resolution photographs of the landing area, have been tested thoroughly.

China's second lunar probe will fly much faster than its predecessor, orbit 100 kilometers closer to the moon, and carry a higher resolution camera.

Huang Jiangchuan, chief designer of Chang'e-2 Lunar Lander,said, "We have redesigned the orbit and thermal control program for the Chang'e-2."

The Chang'e-2 is an orbiting spacecraft that was originally built as a back-up for China's first lunar probe, the Chang'e-1, which ended its 16-month mission on March 1, 2009, when it crashed into the moon's surface.

According to China's three-phase lunar exploration road map, it will first launch the Chang'e-2 later this year. Then it will land the Chang'e-3 on the surface in 2013. Finally, in 2017, a moon rock sample will be returned to Earth.

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