Up to zero hour on February 15, Chang'e I has notched up its 100-day safety record, with 1135 flights circling the moon. The lunar probe has been working well and it will encounter a lunar eclipse for the first time on February 21, the Chinese Lantern Festival, as reported by Wen Hui Po.
On the day of the traditional Chinese festival, the moon and the lunar probe are expected to be sheltered from the sun for 3-4 hours.
During the lunar eclipse, several satellite facilities will be turned off and work will be resumed later. The lunar eclipse will not have any great impact on Chang'e I's performance.
The lunar probe will encounter another eclipse this August.
(China.org.cn February 15, 2008)
