China is on track to launch its next Moon orbiter – Chang’e-2.
The lunar probe is to be launched at the end of the year, according to Xinhua, a Chinese news agency.
Chang’e-2 follows China’s first lunar mission, a spacecraft that carried out 16-months of research circling the Moon, ending its tasks in March of last year.
According to Ouyang Ziyuan, chief scientist at the China Lunar Exploration Project, Chang’e-2 will be sent on a speedier journey to the Moon than its predecessor, taking roughly five days to reach lunar orbit after launch. That fast track is compared to over13 days taken by Chang’e-1to reach lunar orbit.
Ouyang also noted that the next lunar orbiter will orbit closer to the moon than its forerunner, and also tote a higher resolution camera. Furthermore, Chang’e-2 will test key soft-landing technologies for future lunar landers.
Gathering high-resolution lunar imagery for picking future robotic lander sites is one aspect of China’s three-phase moon exploration road map.
Future plans
In 2013, China is slated to loft Chang’e-3 – built to land on the Moon. According to space officials, a follow-on spacecraft in 2017 will touch down on the lunar surface, gather and return rock samples back to Earth.
Chang’e-2 will join NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO), already orbiting the Moon. LRO officially reached lunar orbit on June 23rd, 2009. Its scouting mission continues, gathering more digital information than any previous planetary mission in history.
LRO’s state-of-the-art instruments are helping to shape the foundation for all future lunar exploration plans, including a better understanding of the Moon and its environment.
By Leonard David