China 's space authorities have announced plans to launch over 40 different spacecrafts into orbit in 20 separate launches this year . One of the vessels to be launched is the ground-breaking Yuanzheng 1 - also known as the 'space bus ' - which can launch 10 different satellites at once . 2013 was a massive year for China whose scientists launched 16 spacecraft to firmly establish their cosmic credentials . In October 2003 , it became only the third country in history to independently launch a manned mission into space on the Shenzhou 5 . Ground-breaking : One of the 40 aircraft China plans to put into orbit is the Yuanzheng 1 'space bus ' which can carry 10 satellites into space and restart its engines over 20 times . Historic : In December 2013 , China 's Chang ' e-3 lunar probe became the first object to soft-land on the moon since the Soviet Union 's Luna 24 in 1976 . A spokesman for the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation said the vessels going up this year will mostly be 'communication satellites ' orbiting at around 36,000ft . Director of its Space Department Zhao Xiaojin added : 'There will also be some remote sensing satellites sent up to observe the earth as well as navigation satellites . ' Chinese space authorities also said a number of 'cutting edge ' technologies will be tested for the first time , including the highly anticipated 'space bus ' . The Yuanzheng 1 is China 's largest ever rocket with a diameter of 5.2 meters . It needs to be assembled at the launch site because trains carrying it would not be able to pass through tunnels . Its engine can restart over 20 times when flying in orbit and it is thought to be 75 per cent more efficient than spacecraft of the same size . It also has the capability to move old , scrapped satellites out of useful orbit and into so-called 'cemetery orbits ' to prevent them from hindering other space-faring vehicles . In December 2013 , the Chang ' e 3 lander - named after the Chinese moon goddess - became the first object to soft-land on the moon since the Soviet Union 's Luna 24 in 1976 . China 's National Space Administration operated the mission which incorporated a robotic lander and the country 's first ever lunar rover . Exploration : In June 2012 , the Shenzhou-9 carried China 's first female astronaut Liu Yang into space . Cosmic : A spokesman for the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation said the vessels going up this year will mostly be 'communication satellites ' The county announced its aspiration to carry out deep space exploration in September 2010 and planned to send a man to the moon by 2025 . Mr Xiaojin says work is also continuing to extend China 's lunar program , adding : 'We have made breakthroughs in most of the key technology needed for the Chang ' e-5 mission [ which is expected to land on the Moon by 2017 ] . 'This year we will conduct more ground tests , particularly ones involving theconditions which will imitate the environment on the moon . ' Meanwhile , the Chinese government has already begun opening up its its lunar exploration program to private investment .
Chinese space authorities planning to send 40 different aircraft into orbit . One of the ships will be 'space bus ' which can launch 10 satellites at once . Yuanzheng 1 - China 's largest ever rocket - can restart its engine 20 times . It became third country to launch manned space mission in October 2003 . In 2013 , 'soft-landed ' first object on the moon since Soviet mission in 1976 .