THE logo of China's lunar probe mission was produced just before the deadline of a nationwide contest, its Shanghai native designer has told a local newspaper.

Designer Gu Yongjiang said he came up with the idea for the logo while he was brushing his teeth on the deadline day of the contest, the Youth Daily reported today.

The 28-year-old added he submitted the logo one hour before the deadline, the report said.

The contest, organized by the Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense, was meant to select the best logo for China's lunar project.

China's first satellite of lunar probe mission, Chang'e I, is set to blast off at Xichang Launch Center in Sichuan Province around 6pm today. The orbiter is named after the Goddess in Chinese mythology, who flew to the moon and lived there.

Gu's logo, titled "Over the moon," is derived from the Chinese character "yue," (moon) which has a similar shape to a crescent. The two strokes in its middle resemble a pair of footsteps. This embodies mankind's dream to walk on the moon, the report said.

Gu added that the arc of a stroke in the character, written in Chinese calligraphy, represented a flying dragon, a symbol of China, the report said.

The logo was a combination of both Chinese cultural elements and the common dream of all mankind, according to Gu.

"An image depicting Chang'e flying to the moon is simply not international enough. Fortunately, I captured this theme and incorporated it into my work," he said.

Gu's work stood out among 1,026 entries, the report said.

Upon receiving notification he had won the contest, Gu said he talked with experts and reviewers about minor modifications such as changing its color from red to blue, the report said.

Gu's logo was unveiled on February 10, 2006. Asked about his feelings on the experience, he said it will be a "life-time honor for him," the report said.