The Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China, says fueling of the Long March-3C rocket, which will carry the Chang'e 2 lunar probe, will begin this Thursday. The launch window for the mission begins Friday and ends Sunday.

According to the plan, the rocket will send the satellite directly into the earth-moon transfer orbit. After separating from the rocket, the satellite will continue flying for 110 hours to reach an area near the moon. In total, the Chang'e-2 can reach the lunar orbit within just five days, compared to Chang'e-1, which required almost two weeks. Its mission is to prepare for the forthcoming lunar missions of Chang'e 3 and 4.