- Sinus Iridum: Possible landing site for China’s first robotic Moon rover. Credit: NASA/GSFC/Arizona State University
China space officials have announced that the Chang’e-2’s primary mission has been completed. The Moon orbiter has been on duty for some six months, launched in early October of 2010.
Chang’e-2 has been used to spot possible landing sites for future Chinese robotic probes – specifically focusing a high resolution camera system on the Moon’s Sinus Iridum, or Bay of Rainbows. In total, five potential landing spots have been identified, according to Chinese news sources.
The mission of Chang’e-2 is continuing, officials have stated, including more study of the lunar landscape and exploring the geological structure of the Moon.
According to Wen Weibin, Senior Engineer of China’s National Astronomical Observatories, said: “The spacecraft is sufficiently-stocked of fuel, which will enable the orbiter to further survey the moon for one or two more years. It might even fly beyond its trajectory to the outer space, places previously not reached by Chinese spacecraft.”
China’s CNTV has noted that the next phase in China’s lunar exploration plan is lofting Chang’e-3 in 2013. This third robotic probe of China aims for a soft landing on the Moon.
Also, a Chinese-designed moon rover will land with Chang’e-3. The robot is being tasked with detecting, collecting and analyzing samples.
By Leonard David