The State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense said that China's moon orbiter Chang'e 3 is scheduled to be launched in the second half of 2013, China Radio International reported on Monday.

The administration said the plan is going smoothly.

According to the report, the lunar explorer will land on the moon, and carry out surveys of its surface.

In 2007, China launched its first moon orbiter, the Chang'e 1, named after a lunar goddess. The second lunar orbiter was launched in 2010.