China is preparing for the launch of an experimental recoverable moon orbiter, the State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense said yesterday.
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The orbiter arrived by air in Xichang in southwest China’s Sichuan Province yesterday and transported to the Xichang Satellite Launch Center for a launch that will take place before the end of this year, the administration said.
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The plan is for the orbiter to be launched into lunar orbit and return to Earth at an escape velocity of 11.2 kilometers per second.
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The orbiter is one of the test models for China’s new lunar probe Chang’e-5, which will be tasked with landing on the moon, collecting samples and returning to Earth.
The launch is aimed at testing technologies vital for the success of Chang’e-5, the administration said.
China launched the Chang’e-3 lunar probe with its moon rover, Yutu, in late 2013. Chang’e-3 successfully landed on the moon and Yutu operated well until its control mechanism failed in January.
As the backup probe of Chang’e-3, Chang’e-4 will be adapted to verify technologies for Chang’e-5.
The more sophisticated Chang’e-5 mission, including unmanned sampling and returning, requires technological breakthroughs in moon surface takeoff, sampling encapsulation, rendezvous and docking in lunar orbit, as well as high-speed Earth reentry.Â
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China is preparing for the launch of an experimental recoverable moon orbiter, the State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense said yesterday.
