The probe's carrier, an enhanced Long March-3B rocket, put the probe in the designated orbit in a text book launch from Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China.
The probe, which is carrying a robotic rover to explore the moon besides a telescope, entered the earth-moon transfer orbit as scheduled, with a perigee of 200 kilometres and apogee of 380,000 km, officials said.
“The probe has already entered the designated orbit,” said Zhang Zhenzhong, Director of the launch centre in Xichang.
“I now announce the launch was successful,” he said amid cheers from the staff.
“We will strive for our space dream as part of the Chinese dream of national rejuvenation,” he said.
The probe's soft-landing is the most difficult task during the mission, said Wu Weiren, the lunar programme's Chief Designer.
“This will be a breakthrough for China to realize zero-distance observation and survey on the moon.”
