CLEP was planned to be implemented in three stages: lunar orbiting, lunar landing, and lunar sample return. The first stage was approved on January 23, 2004, and named the Chang'e project (Chang'e is a moon fairy in ancient Chinese mythology). The first lunar exploration satellite was named Chang'e-1.

Main tasks of the Chang'e project were to develop and launch a lunar exploration satellite that would orbit the moon; preliminarily master the basic technology of lunar orbiting and exploration and conduct a global survey of the moon through remote sensing; and carry out scientific exploration of the moon, obtain 3D images of the lunar surface, analyze the content and distribution of various elements and substances on the lunar surface, explore the characteristics of lunar soil and the space environment between the earth and the moon. The lunar orbiting and exploration program consisted of the overall design, satellite system, launch vehicle system, launch site system, telemetry and control system and ground application system.

The Chang'e-1 satellite used the Dongfanghong-3 communication satellite platform, with a total mass of 2,350 kg and a designed in-orbit service life of one year. The satellite was equipped with a variety of scientific instruments, including a CCD camera and laser altimeter for three-dimensional imaging of the lunar surface, an interference imaging spectrometer and γ/X-ray detector for detecting chemical elements and substances on the lunar surface, a microwave sounder for detecting the thickness of lunar soil, and a solar high-energy particle detector and solar wind ion detector for detecting the space environment between the earth and the moon.

Chang'e-1 lunar exploration satellite was successfully launched into space from Xichang Satellite Launch Center

At 6:05 p.m. on October 24, 2007, Chang'e-1 was successfully launched into space by the Long March 3A carrier rocket from Xichang Satellite Launch Center, and entered a super geostationary transfer orbit with a perigee of 200 km, an apogee of 51,000 km, and an orbital inclination of 31°. After one apogee orbit change and three perigee orbit changes, the satellite entered the earth-moon transfer orbit on October 31 and approached the moon on November 5. After the first near-moon braking, it was successfully captured by the moon and became a lunar satellite. After braking twice more, it successfully entered the orbit around the moon on November 7. On November 18, the satellite turned into a normal gesture. On November 20, the CCD camera on the satellite began to explore the moon and transmit image data simultaneously. After processing the image data sent back by the satellite, Chinese scientists obtained the first partial two-dimensional image of the moon made from 19-orbit image data, and made a partial three-dimensional image.

The success of China's first lunar orbiting and exploration project indicated that China had become a country with deep space exploration capability. In January 2010, the program team won the Special Prize of the National Science and Technology Progress Award.

The main objectives of the second stage of the CLEP were to launch a lunar landing probe equipped with a patrol probe, implement a soft lunar landing, and release the patrol probe to carry out detailed detection within a certain scope near the landing area. On October 1, 2010, a Chang'e-2 exploration satellite was launched from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center by the Long March 3C carrier rocket. On October 9, it entered the circular polar lunar orbit at a height of 100 km and a cycle of 117 minutes to carry out various scientific explorations of the moon. On December 2, 2013, the Chang'e-3 exploration satellite was successfully launched by the Long March 3B carrier rocket from Xichang Satellite Launch Center. On December 8, 2018, the Chang'e-4 exploration satellite was successfully launched.

Long March 3 launch vehicle

The main objectives of the third stage of the CLEP were to launch a lunar return probe, collect lunar samples after lunar soft landing, carry the samples back to Earth, and analyze them in the laboratory.

At 4:30 a.m. on November 24, 2020, China successfully launched the Chang'e-5 lunar probe from Wenchang Space Launch Site, starting the first journey intended to bring samples back from an extraterrestrial object. On December 1, the Chang'e-5 probe successfully landed in the pre-selected landing area on the front side of the moon.

On December 17, 2020, Chang'e-5, carrying lunar samples, made a semi-ballistic jump reentry and landed safely in the predetermined area in Siziwang Banner, Inner Mongolia.