A combo photo released by the China National Space Administration (CNSA) on December 11 shows a crater on the dark side of the moon. This image was reportedly taken by Chang'e-1, the country's first lunar probe, on December 4.

On December 12, a grand ceremony was held in Beijing to celebrate the success of the first stage of China's lunar probe program. President Hu Jintao announced on the occasion that the nation had joined countries with the capability of deep space exploration, which he stressed was for peaceful purposes only.

Chang'e-1 blasted off on its moon voyage on October 24.