The government is aiming to launch a lunar orbiter by 2020 and a probe to land on the moon by 2025.

The Ministry of Science and Technology said that a working-level committee for space development approved a road map for the nation's first lunar program.

The road map included the development of a launch vehicle, lunar orbiter and lunar lander.

The ministry will set up detailed annual plans according to the road map to complete development of a launch vehicle by 2017.