HKUST 15th Anniversary Distinguished Lecture Series-A Closer Encounter with China's Lunar Exploration Program

The successful launches of Shenzhou V and Shenzhou VI have testified to China's breakthrough in manned space technology. Engaging in lunar exploration work will further raise China's aerospace technological level and elevate China's status and influences as an international superpower.

A delegation from the Commission of Science Technology and Industry for National Defense Lunar Exploration visited Hong Kong for the first time. Mr Luan Enjie, the commander-in-chief of the Lunar Exploration Program visited HKUST on 26 April, meeting faculty and researchers to explore cooperating opportunities in the lunar probe project and signed a memorandum of understanding with the University. Mr Luan also delivered a Distinguished Lecture to faculty and students to share the latest developments of the Lunar Probe Project as well as the long-term objectives of China's deep space program.

Mr Luan Enjie
Member of the 10th Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference
Deputy Director of Committee of Education, Science, Culture, Health and Sports
Director of Advisor Committee of the Commission of Science Technology and Industry for National Defense
Vice-Chairman of the China Association for Science and Technology
Commander-in-chief of China's Lunar Exploration Program

Three Stages of the Lunar Exploration Program
China's lunar exploration program will be an unmanned mission. The program is divided into three stages, i.e. to orbit, to land, and to recover. In Stage One, the Chang'e I Satellite, is expected to be launched in 2007 to orbit the moon. In Stage Two, an unmanned vehicle will be sent to land on the moon in 2012, to explore and examine the moon's surface. The program is expected to enter Stage Three in 2017, by sending an automated lunar vehicle to collect soil samples and bring back to Earth for analysis and research.