China set for second lunar probe

BEIJING, Nov. 27 (UPI) -- The Chinese space scientist who designed the country's first lunar probe says the second probe is set for October of next year, he told the China Daily.

Ye Peijian said the second lunar orbiter, Chang'e-2, will carry different payloads and orbit the moon in a different way, the report said. China launched its first lunar mission in 2007 by successfully placing its unmanned Chang'e-1 probe into lunar orbit.

"It will orbit 100 km (62 miles) closer to the moon and be equipped with better facilities," Ye told the newspaper. "We expect to acquire more scientific data about the moon with increased accuracy."

The report said Chang'e-2, once a backup for Chang'e-1, has now been upgraded for its new mission with a charge-coupled device camera on board, which will have a far higher resolution than the one on China's first lunar probe.

Ye also said China's lunar-lander and rover, Chang'e-3, is currently in the prototype stage and its launch is expected by 2013.