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Emily Lakdawalla • Oct 24, 2007

Successful launch for Chang'e 1!

In the fourth planetary liftoff this year (following Phoenix, Dawn, and Kaguya), China's Chang'e 1 launched successfully from Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Sichuan at 10:05 UTC.

Chang'e 1 lifts off

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Chang'e 1 lifts off
Chang'e 1 began its journey to the Moon with the liftoff of a Long March 3A rocket from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Sichuan, China on October 24, 2007 at 10:05 UTC. The four characters on the side of the rocket spell "China Moon Probe." More launch photos
Chang'e 1 disappears into the clouds

scitech.people.com.cn

Chang'e 1 disappears into the clouds
Chang'e 1 began its journey to the Moon with the liftoff of a Long March 3A rocket from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Sichuan, China on October 24, 2007 at 10:05 UTC.

Congratulations to China! The International Lunar Decade is truly underway!