Beijing: China plans to build a new family of rocket launchers for its space programme, as its scientists look for further breakthroughs in rocket technology before it can launch a recoverable moon rover.

The Long March 5 carrier rockets would be manufactured in the northern coastal city of Tianjin, Beijing said, days after the Communist nation recently launched its first lunar probe -- Chang 1.

China would also build a new launch centre in the southernmost province of Hainan, the state media reported today. Media reports here said the next-generation rockets would be able to lift 25 tons of payload to near-earth orbit, up from the current nine tons; and 14 tons of payload to geosynchronous orbits, up from five tons.

Since the Hainan launch centre would not be ready until 2012, the new generation rockets would not blast off before 2013, reports added.

China's most sophisticated satellite 2,300 kg lunar orbiter was shot into space by Long March 3A carrier from Xichang Satellite Launch Centre in southerwestern province of Sichuan on October 24, marking the first step in its ambitious three-phased moon exploration mission.

Source : PTI