China's lunar probe enters long-term lunar orbit

Xinhua, November 3, 2010

China's second unmanned lunar probe, Chang'e-2, smoothly entered its long-term lunar orbit Tuesday, marking the start of its 6-month photography mission.

Liu Junze, a flight control official with the Beijing Aerospace Control Center (BACC), told Xinhua Wednesday the center has successfully switched over to the mission's long-term management system, allowing the probe to begin its main task - taking high-resolution images of the moon.

The ground crew will ensure the satellite orbits the moon at a height of 100 km.

The satellite will take photographs of the moon's Sinus Iridum, or Bay of Rainbows. The probe begun photographing the area with a charge-coupled device (CCD) camera on board on Oct. 27.

The high-resolution photographs of the Bay of Rainbows area will be a measure of the mission's success, with the area the proposed landing ground for Chang'e-3.

After Chang'e-2 finishes its six-month mission, it has three possible "fates" -- crashing into the moon; flying off into outer space; or returning to earth.

The rocket that carried Chang'e-2 into space blasted off from Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China's Sichuan Province on Oct. 1.

Chang'e-2 was built as an alternative to Chang'e-1, which was launched in October 2007 and completed a 16-month lunar orbit.

The Chang'e probes are named after a legendary Chinese moon goddess.