The government Thursday unveiled an ambitious blueprint for aerospace development in the next five years, just days before the launch of China's first lunar orbiter scheduled for next week.

It is the first overall plan for aerospace development in China.

Released by the Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense (COSTIND) for the 11th Five-Year Plan (2006-10), the plan has outlined nine major missions for aerospace development.

Comprehensive details are yet to be announced, but the nine missions to be fulfilled by 2010 are:

To enhance the capabilities of scientific research on space products, and shorten the current research cycle

To implement key scientific and technological projects, including manned flight, the Moon probe, the high resolution Earth-observation system, the Compass Navigation Satellite System, and the new generation of carrier rockets

To improve innovation capabilities, and overcome key technical difficulties such as satellite payloads and deep-space exploration

To fasten the development of space technology, expand the application of satellites, and kick off research projects to make space products more accountable and longer lasting.

To optimize the structure of the space industry, form a complete industrial chain from satellite manufacturing to projection and application, and promote satellite exports

To continue research on space science and establish the space environment monitoring and forecasting system.

To strengthen industrial management and create a good environment for space development

To strengthen education and foster talent

To strengthen international exchanges and cooperation.

The release of the development blueprint not only coincides with the ongoing 17th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC), but also is just a few days ahead of the launch of the Moon orbiter, Chang'e I.

Earlier reports said the launch at Xichang Satellite Launching Center had been set for next Wednesday evening, about 6 pm.

But COSTIND said yesterday that it will hold a press conference on Monday to announce the final decision of the launch time.

Xinhua News Agency quoted Zhang Qingwei, minister in charge of COSTIND, who is attending the Party Congress, saying that his team had nearly finished pre-launch tests on the rocket and orbiter, which have been transported to the launch site.

Advanced cameras and X-ray spectrometers have been installed in the orbiter for mapping three-dimensional images of the lunar surface, analyzing dust on the Moon, and studying the space environment between Earth and the Moon, he said.

The Moon orbiter will travel about eight days before entering orbit.

Zhang said October was chosen instead of April, another appropriate time for launch, because of better weather and celestial conditions.