Chinese scientists and engineers have built prototypes of the country's planned lunar rover module, the Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality said on Wednesday.

The city's lunar rover research team had completed models of different types of lunar rover and conducted feasibility and technological trials.

The Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology had made significant progress in key technologies for the locomotion system, it said.

China successfully launched its first lunar probe, Chang'e-1, in October. The launch was the first step in China's three-stage moon mission, which includes the launch of a lunar rover for a soft landing and a second rover that is to collect lunar soil and stone samples for research.

China plans to land its first lunar rover on the moon in 2013.

(Xinhua News Agency April 24, 2008)