第一个月球探测器“嫦娥”（Chang'e）-1(CE-1)，基于DFH-3卫星设计，预定在2007年被来自“西昌”（Xichang）卫星发射中心(XSLC)的一枚CZ-3 A运载火箭发射。月球探测器将会绘制三维月球表面地图，分析在月球表面有用的物质基础的含量和分布，测量月球土壤密度和监测近-月球空间环境。

The first lunar orbitor Chang’e-1 (CE-1), based on the DFH-3 satellite design, is scheduled to be launched by a CZ-3A launch vehicle from Xichang Satellite Launch Centre (XSLC) in 2007. The lunar orbitor will map the moon surface in three dimensions, analyse the content and distribution of useful elements on the lunar surface, measure the density of lunar soil, and monitor the near-moon space environment.

The Chinese government first announced that it was planning to carry out moon exploration and preliminary deep space research in its White Paper on China’s Space Activities published on 11 November 2000. The July 2004 edition of the Chinese aerospace magazine ‘Hangkong Zhishi’ provided more details of China’s lunar exploration programme, including a three-step plan.
在2000年11月11日出版的中国空间活动白皮书中，中国政府首次宣布正在计划完成月球探险和初步外层空间研究。2004年7月中国航空宇宙杂志《航空知识》（Hangkong Zhishi）提供了中国月球探险计划更多的资料，包括一个三阶段计划。

According to the report, the first stage is a moon orbiting mission by 2007, using the DFH-3 satellite platform. The lunar orbitor will map the moon surface in three dimensions, analyse the content and distribution of useful elements on the lunar surface, measure the density of lunar soil, and monitor the near-moon space environment. During the second stage, an unmanned moon rover will make a soft landing on the moon surface and examine the moon soil. In the third stage, an unmanned probe will be sent to the moon and collect samples of the moon soil, and then return them to earth.
依照报告，第一个阶段是2007年之前一个环月球轨道运行任务，使用DFH-3（东方红-3）卫星平台。月球观测器将会绘制三维月球表面地图，分析在月球表面有用的基础物质的含量和分布，测量月球土壤密度，而且监控近-月球空间环境。在第二个阶段的时候，一个无人操纵月亮漫游者将会在月球表面上软登陆和检查月球土壤。在第三阶段中，一个无人操纵的探测器将会被送到月球和采集月球土壤试样，然后返回地球。

In January 2004, the Chinese State Council officially approved the lunar exploration project, known as Chang’e Project. The project is named after the Chinese legend about a young fairy who flies to the moon. The total budge of the project is estimated to be 14 billion Chinese Renminbi (US$1.73 billion), with the third stage mission to be carried out by 2017. A senior official of China’s space programme claimed that once the project is completed, China may consider to send human to the moon, or even build a moon base with international co-operations.
在2004年1月，中国国务院正式地批准了月球探险计划，即是“嫦娥”（Chang'e）计划。计划依中国传说命名有关一个飞到月亮的年轻仙女的故事。计划的总预算被估计约一百四十亿人民币（十七亿三千万元美元），第三阶段任务在2017之前被实行。中国空间计划的一位资深的官员宣称一旦计划被完成，中国可能考虑送人到月球，或更甚至国际合作建立一个月球基地。

China National Space Administration (CNSA) held its first working conference for the preparations of the moon exploration project was held in Beijing in February 2004. According to the Chinese state media, the Chang’e project went smoothly since the initial study began in March 2003. Chinese space officials announced that progress on some key technologies have been made, and preliminary design of the spacecraft has started. The planned Chang'e-1 (CE-1) probe will be based on the DFH-3 bus and was to be launched by a CZ-3A booster from Xichang Satellite Launch Centre (XSLC) around 2007.
2004年2月在北京中国空间管理局(CNSA)因为月亮探险计划准备举行了它的第一个工作会议。依照中国国家媒体，自初次研究在2003年3月开始之后，“嫦娥”（Chang'e）计划平稳进行。中国空间官员宣布在一些主要技术方面已经成功，而且初步进行太空船的设计已经启动。“嫦娥”（Chang'e）-1（CE-1）探测器将基于DFH-3（东方红-3）卫星，计划将在2007年左右使用“西昌”（Xichang）卫星发射中心(XSLC)的一枚CZ-3 A运载火箭发射。

According to a report by Russian Interfax new agency on 1 November 2005, China has invited Russia to take part in its moon exploration programme. China and Russia are about to sign a new ten-year space co-operation agreement in 2007, including a possible joint moon exploration programme.
在2005年11月1日依照俄国国际传真新闻代理处的一个报告，中国已经邀请俄国参加它的月球探险计划。中国和俄国将要在2007年签署一个新的十年空间合作协议，包括一个可能的联合月球探险计划。