我國首顆月球探測衛星“嫦娥一號”初步確定于10月24日下午發射升空。據專家透露，經過對發射地雷電、降水和云量等因素的詳細分析，結合相關歷史資料判斷，并在航天、衛星發射、氣象、天文等多個部門反復協商下，最終確定了最佳發射窗口為10月24日下午6時05分左右。目前，西昌衛星發射中心的準備工作也在緊張而有序地進行著。

Researchers and technicians are making final preparations for the launch of China's first moon orbiter, Chang'e I, at the end of October.[cnsphoto]

專題推薦：詞解十七大

A senior Chinese official said Tuesday that researchers and technicians are making final preparations for the launch of the country's first moon orbiter, Chang'e I, at the end of October.

Zhang Qingwei, minister in charge of the Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense (COSTIND), who is attending the 17th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC), said in an interview with Xinhua.

Zhang said his team has nearly finished pre-launch tests on the rocket and orbiter, which have been transported to the launch site.

Advanced cameras and X-ray spectrometers have been installed in the orbiter for mapping three-dimensional images of the lunar surface, analyzing dust on the moon, and studying the space environment between the Earth and the moon.

"The appropriate time for the launch is in April and October. We finally choose October with the consideration of weather and celestial conditions," he said.

"China's moon exploration project is for peaceful use of space," Zhang said. "We're now equipped with high technologies in doing our own research."

The next step in the ambitious mission is to launch a moon vehicle, and then get it back, Zhang said.

Sending the first astronaut into space with the Chinese-made spaceship Shenzhou V in 2003, China became the third country to carry out manned space mission.

The Chinese government has included the moon adventure in 16 key state science projects by the year 2020.

（Xinhua）

Vocabulary:

spectrometer: 光譜儀

celestial：天空的

manned space mission：載人航天計劃

（英語點津 Celene 編輯）