Heavy-lift rocket readied for 2nd mission

Long March 5 is also expected to send lunar probe later this year

A Long March 5 heavy-lift carrier rocket will take flight sometime between July 2 and 5, following the first launch of the model in November, according to Chinese space officials.

The China National Space Administration said the Long March 5-Y2 rocket, carrying the Shijian 18 communications satellite, was moved to its launch pad at the Wenchang Space Launch Center in Hainan province on Monday morning.