Chang'e I, China's first lunar probe satellite will hit the moon
to end its one-year orbital tour as part of the research mission,
said Professor Xiao Naiyuan from the Department of Astronomy of
Nanjing University in a scientific lecture held on October 6,
according to a report by Nanjing Daily on October 8. The
launch day of the satellite is yet to be determined.
The satellite is expected to shoot high-resolution photos when
crashing into the moon, said Xiao.
According to China News, the satellite will be pushed into a
lunar orbit about 384,400 kilometers away from the earth, thus
registering the longest distance that Chinese satellites have
reached to date. During the 157-hour journey, the satellite will be
first propelled into two earth orbits, one at 70,000 kilometers and
the second at 120,000 kilometers away from earth. After an 83-hour
flight, Chang'e I will then follow a lunar orbit 200 kilometers
away from the moon surface.
The country's four radio telescopes: Beijing Miyun Station of
National Astronomical Observatory, Yunan Astronomical Observatory,
Shanghai Astronomical Observatory and Urumqi Observatory will all
receive signals sent by Chang'e I from its lunar orbit.
Chinese astronomers expect to draw a three dimensional image of
the moon from satellite photos. They aim to accurately depict
one-square-meter of the lunar landscape. Experts will also study
the content and composition of 14 elements, including ferrum (Fe)
and titanium (Ti), on the moon's surface. Chinese astronomers have
conducted research on lunar rock since 1978 when the country
received a nail sized one-gram sample from the United States.
(China.org.cn by Wu Jin October 10, 2007)