The service module of the unmanned lunar orbiter currently in space to trial such techniques entered a target lunar orbit after braking maneuvers, and flew to a suitable position for orbital docking between Tuesday and Saturday, the State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense  announced Sunday.

Liu Jizhong, deputy chief commander of the administration's lunar probe project, said that the service module has proven the reliability of key technology needed for the docking of two spacecraft in the Chang'e-5 mission.

The Chang'e-5 probe, expected to launch in 2017, will be tasked with landing on the moon, collecting samples and returning to Earth.

The current lunar orbiter was launched on October 24, 2014.

A capsule designed to separate and return to Earth did so as planned in November, while the service module continues its lunar flight to carry out preset scientific tasks. The service module is operating smoothly and will carry out further tests and may conduct tests assessing lunar gravity depending on  how the mission progresses.

Liu said that the administration expects to test launching Chang'e-5 with a Long March-5 carrier rocket in Hainan Province this year.