China
Key moments of Chang´e One´s journey
WATCH VIDEO
Source: CCTV.com | 12-12-2007 13:59
Special Report: Chang'e I -Journey to the Moon |
On October 24th, China launched its first lunar probe. The circumlunar satellite blasted off on a Long March 3A carrier rocket at 6:05 pm from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwestern China. Chang'e One is the most sophisticated satellite China has built and operated to date.
Vice Premier Zeng Peiyan said, "The success of this launch marks a crucial step for China's lunar exploration projects. The project holds a key position in our efforts to create an innovative country. This success has set another milestone in China's space industry after the first man-made satellite and manned spaceship."
The day after the launch, Chang'e One completed its first orbital transfer-- a key operation in its journey to the Moon. The same day, Chinese scientists successfully activated the probing equipment on the orbiter used to collect data in the space environment between the Earth and Moon.
Six days after its launch, ultraviolet image sensors began functioning to collect data on the Earth and the Moon. It marked the first time an ultraviolet image sensor was put to use on a satellite.
On October 31st, the probe made its fourth and final orbital transfer. The probe successfully shifted to the Earth-Moon transfer orbit.
Two days later, scientists successfully carried out the first orbital correction for Chang'e One. Two small engines on the satellite were ignited to modulate its trajectory.
On November 5th, Chang-e One was captured by the Moon's gravity and became China's first lunar satellite after scientists successfully tested the probe's braking.
Niu Hongguang, Vice Gen. Commander of Chang'e 1 Project, said, "The success of the brake is a breakthrough for the nation's aerospace industry. It also demonstrates that we have the ability to accurately control an orbiter from 4-hundred thousand kilometers away."
