Chang'e-2 will soon begin its epic journey in space. The distance between Earth and the moon is about 380-thousand kilometers. How will the satellite travel there? Let's learn more about the trek.

Three major attractions of Chang'e-2

1. The Chang'e-2 was at one time the backup to Chang'e-1. It has gone through technical upgrades for its new mission.

2. Payloads on board have been improved. The vehicle now boasts a charge-coupled device or CCD camera, which has a much higher resolution than China's first lunar probe.

3. Chang'e-2 will take off from Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China's Sichuan Province. The powerful launch rocket, Long March-3C, will send the satellite directly into the earth-moon transfer orbit.

Process of Chang'e-2's journey

The Long March-3C will complete its mission 25 minutes after the launch. The satellite will then be separated from the rocket. Chang'e 2 will open its solar wings and continue to fly while adjusting its altitude and direction.

After 110 hours, Chang'e-2 will reach the near-moon area and begin to adjust its direction and speed for braking about 100 kilometers away from the moon.

The Chang'e-2 can reach the lunar orbit within just five days, compared to Chang'e-1, which required almost two weeks.

The lunar probe will brake three times more and enter an orbit located 100 kilometers from the moon at a speed of 117 minutes per orbit. This is the major circling orbit where the Chang'e-2 probe will begin its task.

The CCD camera will capture 3D images of the lunar surface with a high resolution of 10 meters. When it lowers to 15 kilometers from the moon, the camera will be able to take clearer pictures of the selected soft-landing area with a higher resolution of one meter. This allows more scientific data about the moon with increased accuracy to be acquired.

To serve the Chang'e 3 project in years to come, Chang'e-2 will circle around another orbit with 15-kilometers perilune and 100-kilometers apolune.