China
Chang´e One to make last orbital transfer
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Source: CCTV.com | 10-31-2007 13:52
Special Report: Chang'e I -Journey to the Moon |
China's lunar probe, Chang'e One is expected to make its fourth and final orbit transfer around 5 p.m., Beijing time on Wednesday.
If successful, the satellite will enter the Earth-Moon orbit, a critical step in reaching the Moon. Li Xiang has the latest on China's first lunar exploration project.
Chang'e One has made three successful orbit transfers since it took off last week.
On Tuesday afternoon, the orbiter arrived at an apogee of more than 120,000 kilometers from the Earth, setting a milestone in China's space exploration.
Zhu Mincai, director of Aerospace Command & Control Center,said, "The apogee that Chang'e one arrived on Tuesday is the furthest point reached by a Chinese spacecraft."
The same day, ultraviolet image sensors installed on the orbiter began working to collect data about the Earth and the Moon. It's the first time that such equipment has been put into actual use on a satellite.
Chang'e One will pick up speed and enter the Earth-Moon transfer orbit on Wednesday. Experts say the probes' acceleration this time will be difficult to manage.
Scientists are monitoring the transition closely and are ready to adjust the orbiter's direction if needed.
Zhu Mincai said, "There are two monitoring networks collecting information about Chang'e One's flight. Both of them are able to receive data from a distance of more than 120-thousand kilometers."
After entering the Earth-Moon orbit, the satellite will make another critical maneuver as it races toward the moon.
On November 5th, Chang'e One will decelerate to be captured by the Moon's gravity. If it does not successfully enter lunar orbit, the probe will either fly past or crash on the moon.
If everything goes as planned, the satellite will reach its final position -- a two-hour, two-hundred kilometer orbit around the Moon -- on November 7th. The probe is scheduled to relay its first picture of the Moon back to Earth in late November.
Editor:Zhang Ning
