Special report: China launches first lunar orbiter
¡¡ BEIJING, Dec. 11 (Xinhua) -- The charge-coupled device (CCD) camera
on Chang'e-1, China's first lunar orbiter, has started imaging probes on the
dark side of the moon and captured photos of parts of this region, the China
National Space Administration (CNSA) announced Tuesday.
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This undated photo shows a ray
crater on the moon issued by the China National Space Administration
(CNSA) on Dec. 11, 2007. The charge-coupled device (CCD) camera on
Chang'e-1, China's first lunar orbiter, has started imaging probes on the
dark side of the moon and captured photos of parts of this region, CNSA
announced Tuesday. (Xinhua Photo)
Photo
Gallery>>> |
The CNSA said that the orbiter is operating normally
in terms of flying, probing, land control and communication, as well as data
transmitting and processing.
The CNSA released the first picture of the moon
captured by Chang'e-1 on Nov. 26, marking the full success of the lunar probe
project.
Chang'e-1, named after a mythical Chinese goddess
who, according to legend, flew to the moon, blasted off on a Long March 3A
carrier rocket at 6:05 p.m. on Oct. 24 from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center
in the southwestern Sichuan Province.
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This undated combo photo released on
Dec. 11, 2007 shows the photo and data of the crater named after Chinese
stargazer Wan Hu, who is said to be the first astronaut in human history,
on the moon issued by the China National Space Administration (CNSA). The
charge-coupled device (CCD) camera on Chang'e-1, China's first lunar
orbiter, has started imaging probes on the dark side of the moon and
captured photos of parts of this region, CNSA announced Tuesday.
(Xinhua Photo)
Photo Gallery>>> |
The 2,350-kg satellite carries eight probing
facilities with a range of instruments. These include a three-dimensional camera
and an interferometer (a set of two or more telescopes that combine their
signals to improve resolution), an imager and gamma/x-ray spectrometer, a laser
altimeter, a microwave detector, a high-energy solar particle detector and a
low-energy ion detector.
The mission has four objectives: a three-dimensional
survey of the lunar surface; an analysis of the abundance and distribution of
elements on the lunar surface; an investigation of the characteristics of lunar
regolith (loose, fragmented surface material) and the powdery soil layer on the
surface, and an exploration of the conditions between Earth and the moon.
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China publishes first moon picture taken
by chang'e-1. (Xinhua Photo)
Photo Gallery>>> |
BEIJING, Nov.
26 (Xinhua) -- China published the first picture of the moon captured by
Chang'e-1 on Monday morning, marking the success of the country's first lunar
probe project.
The framed black-and-white photo was unveiled by Chinese
Premier Wen Jiabao at the Beijing Aerospace Control Center. The image showed a
rough moon surface with scattered round craters both big and small. Full story
Chang'e-1 opens facilities for data
transmission
BEIJING, Nov. 20
(Xinhua) -- China's first lunar orbiter Chang'e-1, which is now circling the
moon at a stable altitude of 200 km, has opened its facilities to transmit data
back to earth, a spokesman for the China National Space Administration (CNSA)
said Tuesday.
The facilities will be tested over the next few days which
will help ensure smooth operation of the probe and reliable data transmission,
spokesman Pei Zhaoyu said. Full story
