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China's second moon probe dispatched from Earth
BY STEPHEN CLARK
SPACEFLIGHT NOW

Posted: October 1, 2010


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PRAGUE -- A robotic spacecraft bound for lunar orbit blasted off from China on Friday, beginning the next phase of that country's program to explore the moon with unmanned probes.


Artist's concept of Chang'e 1, the predecessor of Chang'e 2. Credit: CNSA
 
Chang'e 2 is beginning a five-day journey to the moon, where it will enter orbit about 60 miles above the surface with better science instruments and more fuel than its predecessor.

The spacecraft was built as a ground spare for Chang'e 1, which launched in October 2007, in case that mission ran into problems. Instead of building a new probe, China bolted improved science instruments and cameras on the spare and launched it on a more powerful rocket.

The $134 million mission launched at 1059:57 GMT (6:59:57 a.m. EDT) Friday from the Xichang space center in southwestern China's Sichuan province. The historic mission was broadcast live on CCTV, China's state-run television network.

Crowds of well-wishers also packed into Xichang, a facility normally off-limits to the public. Tourism groups sold tickets for up-close viewing of the launch, but visibility was limited by clouds in the area.

Friday was also National Day in China, marking the 61st anniversary of Communist rule there.

The three-stage Long March 3C rocket blasted off from Launch Pad No. 2 at Xichang, turning southeast from the space base and entering space a few minutes after liftoff. The launcher's hydrogen-fueled third stage fired twice to push the 5,500-pound craft into a transfer orbit toward the moon.

The satellite separated from the rocket less than 30 minutes into flight and was expected to unfurl its solar panels and communications antennas.

Chang'e 2 will be captured by the moon's gravity and arrive in lunar orbit in 112 hours, or just shy of five days, according to the state-owned Xinhua news agency.

It took 12 days for Chang'e 1 to reach lunar orbit after launch on the less powerful Long March 3A booster.

The probe is designed to observe the moon for at least six months, but it carries enough fuel to operate much longer. Its closest approach to the moon will be at an altitude of just 15 kilometers, or about 9 miles, according to China.

Xinhua reports Chang'e 2's peak imaging resolution will be 10 meters, or 32.9 feet. Chang'e 1's cameras could resolve objects 400 feet across. Chang'e 2's lower orbit around the moon will also contribute to the sharper imagery.

Officials named the Chang'e lunar program after the Chinese goddess of the moon.

Chang'e 2 will map candidate landing sites for the next mission in China's lunar program, which targets a robotic touchdown on the moon after launch in 2013. Another project in China's long-term plans is a vehicle to return soil and rock from the moon back to Earth.

After its baseline mission at the moon is finished, Xinhua reports Chang'e 2 could enter an extended phase.

Officials are considering three scenarios for Chang'e 2's overtime, including sending the spacecraft away from the moon and into deep space, giving Chinese engineers practice in operations further from Earth. The satellite's propellant could also return Chang'e 2 to Earth orbit, according to Huang Jiangchuan, a chief designer quoted in Xinhua.

Chang'e 2 could also continue circling the moon, relaying more science data before attempting a landing or impact on the surface, officials said.