Chinese scientists are testing research facilities, which are expected to board China's first moon-orbiting satellite.

The first moon orbiter, Chang'e I, will be launched by 2007. It is the first step in China's ambitious moon-probing project.

The Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Center for Space Science and Applied Research is overseeing the payload tests.

In an exclusive interview with Xinhua, Wu Ji, director of the CAS center, said Thursday, "We are doing the final equipment tests for the payload of the Chang'e I Satellite."

"Research workers must keep the highest alert of errors and potential risks for the equipment," Wu said.

The center is going to complete the tests in a few days.

The payload facilities include microwave detectors for thickness of moon soil, sophisticated probes for the space environment and high-octane solar particles, and scientific data processing and transmitting systems, Wu said.

"We will be the first in the world to use microwave technologies to inspect the moon surface," the leading space scientist said.

After long-standing preparation, Chinese decision-makers turned a green-light on the moon exploration plan in 2004. The plan is targeted to survey and analyze usable elements on the moon as well as the space environment between the earth and the moon.

(Xinhua News Agency March 17, 2006)