All systems working well for Chang´e One

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Source: CCTV.com | 10-29-2007 08:42

China's lunar probe Chang'e One has been in space for some 100 hours so far, and all systems are working well.

By Sunday night, the lunar probe had circled the earth 6 times, for a total of about 1 million kilometers.

4 observatories started full operation on Saturday. In cooperation with the aerospace control net, they are responsible for controlling and monitoring the satellite.

Wang Yejuan, chief engineer of Beijing Aerospace Control Center, said, "The satellite is going deeper into space, so we must get the help of the observatories. From the data they've sent, we can see that they're working very well and laying a good foundation for future monitoring."

Before entering the moon's orbit, Chang'e One is expected to travel a total distance of more than 1.5 million kilometers. The Control Center in Beijing will send the satellite 2,000 commands.

The launch team has returned from the launch center in Xichang to Beijing.

Li Hong, vice president of China Academy of Launch Vehicle Tech., said, "Today's success means that we've finished our work as the first runner of the relay race. We're expecting our next launch task in around 4 months. So we must maneuver again for the new 'long march'. "

The Long March 3A carrier rocket carried the lunar probe into space. Behind its success are years of efforts of more than 120 rocket scientists.

The Long March 3A managed a more accurate orbit entry than expected, saving energy for orbital transfers.

China's Long March series rockets have so far completed 103 launches.

Editor:ZhangNing