PRAGUE, Czech Republic – China is ready to embark on its second launch of an orbiter to the Moon – another step in a multi-faceted lunar exploration agenda.
Chang’E-2 is now ready for departure from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center. The targeted takeoff window is October 1-3, according to Chinese media reports.
After liftoff, the probe will reach its destination in lunar orbit in 5 days.
Here at the 61st International Astronautical Congress (IAC), a number of technical papers given by Chinese space designers have underscored their country’s commitment to a multi-phased lunar exploration plan of orbiters, landers, as well as a robotic lunar sample return initiative.
Chang’E-1—China’s first lunar probe – was launched in late 2007 and operated around the Moon for nearly 500 days.
China’s soon-to-fly Moon orbiter, Chang’E-2 (CE-2), had been designed and produced as a backup satellite of the Chang’E-1 lunar probe, but has been modified to produce higher-resolution imagery of the lunar surface.
Other enhancements to the probe include an upgraded laser altimeter. In addition, the orbital altitude of the craft as it swings around the Moon will be lower than its predecessor, down from CE-1’s 200 kilometers to CE-2’s 100 kilometers.
A mission goal of CE-2 is to image a future landing site for Chang’E-3 – a spacecraft mission consisting of a lunar lander and rover.
By Leonard David