China announces launch of Chang'e-3 lunar probe 'successful'

The launch of China's lunar probe Chang'e-3 was "successful," the Xichang Satellite Launch Center announced Monday.  [Special coverage]

Zhang Zhenzhong, director of the center, made the announcement after the lunar probe entered the earth-moon transfer orbit and unfolded its solar panels.

Chang'e-3 lunar probe, aboard a Long March-3B carrier rocket, blasted off from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China at 1:30 a.m. Monday.

It is expected to soft-land on the moon in mid-December.