China says its first lunar probe has landed on the moon, marking a significant step forward in its space exploration program.
The state-run Xinhua news agency says the satellite hit the lunar surface Sunday, ending a 16-month mission through space.
The landing was the first step in China's plans to land a vehicle on the moon to collect mineral samples in 2012.
Before that happens, China plans to send another lunar probe to the moon to practice soft landings.
China became the third country to send a manned flight into space in 2003, following Russia and the United States.
Some information for this report was provided by Reuters.