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Lunar probe ready to go
By Li Xinran |
September 21, 2010, Tuesday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
CHINA is likely to launch its second lunar orbiter immediately after tomorrow's Mid-Autumn Festival, the designer of the country's lunar exploration program said yesterday.
The unmanned Chang'e 2 was due for launch in October but "it is ready now," said Wu Weiren, the chief designer.
It will conduct research at a 100-kilometer-high moon orbit, compared with the 200-kilometer record by its predecessor Chang'e 1, to analyze the content of useful elements and types of materials, and explore the characteristics of lunar soil and the space environment between the earth and the moon as a preparation for the soft landings by Chang'e 3 and 4.
A Long March 3C rocket with 3 boosters will take the Chang'e 2 to an orbit 380,000 kilometers from earth, the longest range yet by domestic rockets.
The Chang'e 2 will reach the orbit in seven days, much shorter than its predecessor's 14 days.
More than a year ago, a planned crash-landing on the moon by Chang'e 1, the country's first lunar probe, ended its 16-month journey.
The impact at 4:13pm on March 1, 2009, marked the success of China's first step in its moon exploration program.
The unmanned Chang'e 2 was due for launch in October but "it is ready now," said Wu Weiren, the chief designer.
It will conduct research at a 100-kilometer-high moon orbit, compared with the 200-kilometer record by its predecessor Chang'e 1, to analyze the content of useful elements and types of materials, and explore the characteristics of lunar soil and the space environment between the earth and the moon as a preparation for the soft landings by Chang'e 3 and 4.
A Long March 3C rocket with 3 boosters will take the Chang'e 2 to an orbit 380,000 kilometers from earth, the longest range yet by domestic rockets.
The Chang'e 2 will reach the orbit in seven days, much shorter than its predecessor's 14 days.
More than a year ago, a planned crash-landing on the moon by Chang'e 1, the country's first lunar probe, ended its 16-month journey.
The impact at 4:13pm on March 1, 2009, marked the success of China's first step in its moon exploration program.
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